Firefighter struck by an SUV in northern Iowa Tue. evening

News

December 24th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Cerro Gordo County, IA) [updated 6-a.m., 12/24] –  A firefighter from Cerro Gordo County was struck by an SUV Tuesday evening on the northern side of Ventura. The Iowa State Patrol says the unidentified firefighter from Ventura, was standing on Highway 18 directing traffic around the scene of a previous collision, when they were struck by a 2015 Ford Escape driven by 66-year-old Kevin R. Berry, of Britt (IA).

The accident happened on the highway, just west of Balsam Avenue, at around 5:30-p.m. The vehicle that struck the firefighter continued to travel through the original crash scene before being stopped by a Clear Lake police officer. The firefighter was transported by ambulance to MercyOne North Iowa hospital in Mason City, for treatment of what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.
US Highway 18 was closed down for a short period of time. The Iowa State Patrol was asked to handle the crash investigation involving the firefighter. Both crashes remain under investigation to determine their cause and if impairment played a role in each crash.