DELAWARE COUNTY, IOWA – A Northern Iowa man driving a UTV failed to field to a couple out driving their pickup, leading to a fatal crash.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, a crash occurred on April 26, 2024. At 2:18 PM that afternoon, 39-year-old Kyle James Kelchen of Manchester, Iowa, was operating a 2018 Polaris Ranger southbound on 190th Avenue near Ryan, Iowa, when he failed to stop at a stop sign and yield the right of way. At this time and location, a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by 67-year-old Gerald John Beitz of Monticello, Iowa, was eastbound on 310th Street, and struck the Polaris. Both vehicles came to rest in a ditch.
As a result of the collision, Kelchen, not wearing a seatbelt, was killed. Beitz, and a female passenger, 65-year-old Susan Eileen Beitz, were both hurt, but not transported to a hospital immediately.
The accident remains under investigation.
