A collision in Madison County early this (Sunday) morning, claimed the life of a Winterset man. The Iowa State Patrol reports the driver of a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 48-year old John Timothy Eller, died during the crash that took place at around 4:15-a.m., in the 2100 block of west Summit Street, in Winterset.

The Patrol says a semi driven by 63-year old Gary James Hagey, of Clarinda, had just pulled out onto the road and was gaining speed, when Eller’s SUV came upon the rig and failed to slow down before hitting the semi in the rear. Following the collision, the SUV veered to the left and struck an in-ground electrical box and caught fire. Hagey, who was not injured, slowed his semi and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road.

The accident remains under investigation.