JASPER COUNTY – An investigation into the death of an Iowa teen after an auto accident has led to a litany of charges against the male driver.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office along with the Jasper County Attorney’s Office, Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol completed an investigation regarding a motor vehicle accident that took place early in the morning on August 26, 2023, in rural Jasper County. Chloe Hutchcraft, a 17-year-old female, was a passenger in a motor vehicle and died as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.
The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Benjamin Kelne (pictured in a jail photo at top), from Grinnell has been charged with the following charges relating to the accident:
– Reckless Driving
– Possession/purchase of alcohol
– Careless Driving
– Failure to maintain control
– Involuntary manslaughter