KNOXVILLE, Iowa [KCCI] — An Iowa man was taken to a hospital Friday afternoon following a skydiving accident. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a group of skydivers jumped from just under 15,000 feet Friday afternoon shortly before 2:30 p.m. At about 4,000 feet, members of the group noticed one man experiencing an issue with his parachute. The man spiraled out of control and hit the ground near the Knoxville airport.

Officials on Saturday identified the man as 61-year-old Samuel Owens, of Urbandale. He was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital with serious injuries.

CARLISLE, Iowa — Authorities have identified a Carlisle teenager who was killed June 9th in a crash that injured two others. According to Iowa State Patrol, a Toyota Camry Solara was traveling northbound on 200th Avenue in Warren County on Sunday evening. The vehicle entered the ditch near the intersection of 200th and Delaware avenues, rolled and ejected two of the three occupants.

A passenger in the car, 15-year-old Hanna Shaffer, was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital, where she died from her injuries. The 16-year-old driver and another 15-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital; their conditions is not available. All Carlisle school district activities for Monday evening have been postponed. Services for Hanna Shaffer are set for Tuesday.

According to the latest data from the Iowa Department of Transportation, 119 people have died so far this year on Iowa roads. That number is 24 fewer than at the same point in 2023. Over the last five years, an average of 350 people have been killed in statewide crashes annually.

(Denison, Iowa) – KJAN’s sister station KDSN in Denison reports they were informed of a pursuit that occurred Friday afternoon, that ended in a field. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office told the station they were made aware of a stolen vehicle out of Woodbury County, and that at approximately 3:12-p.m.. authorities located the vehicle in Denison.

When a traffic stop was initiated by Denison Police, the stolen vehicle driven by a male, fled North on Highway 59 and escalated into a high speed pursuit towards Schleswig. Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in the chase when it crossed into the County.

The stolen vehicle eventually turned east onto County Highway E-16 in Schleswig, and continued toward County Highway 39, before turning north onto Highway 39. Speeds at that point increased to as much as 110-miles per hour, with vehicle being passed in No Passing Zones.

The Sheriff’s Department terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Approximately 20-to 30-minutes, later Sac County Sheriff’s Deputies came into contact with the driver and engaged in a pursuit. The stolen vehicle eventually came to rest in a field.

KDSN says there are unconfirmed reports suspect driver of the stolen vehicle died from self-inflicted wounds. Additional information is currently not available.

(Butler County, Iowa)  – The operator of a motorcycle was injured in a collision Friday afternoon in northeast Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 34-year-old James Cummings, of Greene, was hurt when the 2008 Honda motorcycle he was riding, struck a 2016 Chevy pickup truck, as the pickup was turning from southbound Yale Avenue onto eastbound Highway 188, west of Plainfield. The accident happened at around 3:20-p.m.

The Patrol says Cummings, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle during the collision, and transported by helicopter to Unity Point/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. The driver of the pickup, 46-year-old Patrick Lentz, of Plainfield, was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, and Yield the Right-Of-Way.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Ambulance, Waverly paramedics, Plainfield 1st Responders, Plainfield Fire Dept. and Mercy One Airmed 3 helicopter.

(Woodbury County, Iowa) – A vehicle traveling about the posted speed limit crashed on the southeast side of Sgt. Bluff, Friday morning, resulting the death of its driver. The Iowa State Patrol says a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy was trying to catch-up to a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero driven by 24-year-old Donovan Burrell, of Orange City, when the crash occurred at around 3-a.m.

The car was traveling on S. Lakeport/Old Lakeport Road near Wilde Street, when it went out of control and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes. The vehicle then went off the east shoulder, back on to the road and crossed over both lanes onto the west shoulder, before it struck a shed and came to rest.

Burrell, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to St. Lukes Hospital by Sgt. Bluff Fire/Rescue, and died from his injuries. The State Patrol says excessive speed, alcohol &/or drugs, and erratic driving were all contributing factors in the crash.

The Patrol was assisted by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.