A State Patrol Trooper who served western and central Iowa for 24-years died early Tuesday evening as a result of a single vehicle car crash near Indianola.  The Iowa Department of Public Safety says

Trooper Mark Toney

43- year old Trooper Mark Toney was traveling northbound on US Highway 65, just south of Indianola. Witnesses indicate his emergency lights were activated. For unknown reasons the patrol car left the roadway and then landed in a field west of the highway.  Witnesses to the incident called 911 shortly before 4:40 PM.

Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders found the patrol car fully engulfed in flames.  The fire was extinguished, and Trooper Toney was pronounced dead at the scene.  An autopsy will be conducted at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny today (Wednesday).

Colonel Patrick J. Hoye offered his condolences, “My heart goes out to Trooper Toney’s family. In their time of sadness, they should know how much the State Patrol family grieves with them.  Trooper Toney gave his life in service to Iowans.”

The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate Tuesday’s fatal car crash.