GRUNDY COUNTY, IOWA – A passenger van loaded with folks not wearing seatbelts nor child restraints crashed on an icy Northern Iowa highway, killing four and injuring multiple others.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident occurred on Friday, January 27, 2023. At around 6:49 AM that morning, a 15-passenger van was heading westbound on US Highway 20 near Wellsburg, Iowa in Grundy county.
The patrol says the driver lost control of the vehicle and entered into the median. The vehicle rolled over and came to rest in the eastbound lanes of Highway 20.
The 15-passenger van was occupied by 13 passengers and 1 driver. Following the crash and investigation, the patrol confirmed that four people were killed. This includes 1 adult and 3 children under the age of 5. Multiple other persons suffered injuries.
The patrol emphasized that “NONE” of the occupants were using seatbelts nor child restraint devices.
The crash is still under investigation.
The Iowa State Patrol has now disclosed that 33-year-old Sara E Werner of Hopkinton, Iowa was the driver of the van.
Those so far listed as injured were 27-year-old Mahlon Borntreger, 25-year-old Fannie Borntreger, 22-year-old Edna Borntreger, 3-year-old Ervin Borntreger and 1-year-old Joseph Borntreger, and 1-year-old Jacob Borntreger, all of Delhi, Iowa. Also hurt was 30-year-old Almer Yoder of Hopkinton, Iowa, 29-year-old Mary Herschberger of Delhi and 26-year-old Jacob “Jake” Herschberger of Delhi.
Those so far listed as killed were 4-year-old Emma Borntreger, 2-year-old Rebecca Borntreger, 1-year-old Marlin Borntreger and 22-year-old Ervin J Borntreger, all of Delhi, Iowa.
