Webster City, IA (July 3, 2026) – Two men lost their lives on Wednesday afternoon in a head-on collision caused by an alleged wrong-way driver on U.S. Highway 20 near the Webster City exit.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a report shortly after noon that a white pickup truck had entered the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 20 at the Webster City exit and was traveling east in the westbound lanes. Officers with the Webster City Police Department and deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to intercept the vehicle.
Before emergency responders could reach the area, the wrong-way pickup collided head-on with a westbound RAM 1500 pickup truck.
Authorities identified the wrong-way driver as 69-year-old Joseph Kennedy of Alden. Kennedy, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the RAM, 40-year-old Aaron Scott Gomez of Harlingen, Texas, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Joseph Kennedy and Aaron Scott Gomez during this difficult time.
The Dangers of Wrong-Way Driving on Highways
Wrong-way crashes are among the most severe types of highway collisions because they frequently result in high-speed, head-on impacts. These crashes can leave drivers with little or no time to react, significantly increasing the likelihood of fatal or life-threatening injuries.
Investigators typically examine several factors in wrong-way collisions, including whether driver impairment, a medical emergency, confusion at highway entrances or exits, poor visibility, or other circumstances contributed to the incident. Seat belt use also plays a critical role in occupant safety, helping reduce the risk of fatal injuries in many crashes. Authorities continue to encourage motorists to remain alert, report suspected wrong-way drivers immediately, and always wear seat belts while traveling.
