United Group Insurance

UPDATE – Exira man dies in Cass County Hwy 71 crash, 4 others hurt

News

October 21st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol reports one person died and four others were injured during a collision that happened at around 7:45-p.m. Saturday on Highway 71 and Casey Road. The Patrol says a 2013 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 72-year old Ronald Ray Nelson, of Exira, was traveling north on Highway 71 and was approaching the red traffic light at a bridge construction site south of “The Valley,” when for reasons unknown, he failed to stop, and rear-ended a 2011 Ford Explorer driven by 34-year old Travis Wayne Anthofer, of Exira.

Following the collision, the pickup entered the east ditch. The SUV was pushed into the open lane on the bridge, where it blocked Highway 71. Dispatch reports at the time said Nelson was unresponsive, and rescue crews were performing CPR. The man died at the scene, though. Antohofer, and his passengers, 33-year old Kaitlin Ann Anthofer, 7-year old Ryleigh Anthofer, and 9-year old Gavin Joseph Anthofer, all of Exira, were transported by other family members to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, to be checked for injuries.