HAZELTON – Standing corn may have been a factor in obstructing the view of two drivers who collided in a remote intersection, causing one to perish.
On Saturday, July 27, 2024 at approximately 12:25 PM, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a 911 report of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of 130th Street and Indiana Avenue. According to the investigation, a 2000 Buick LeSabre operated by Michael John Puff, 80, of Oelwein, was traveling eastbound on 130th Street. At the same time, a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Connor Scott Jorgensen, 19, of Oelwein, was traveling northbound on Indiana Avenue. Both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time and collided. Visibility was possibly obstructed from standing corn near the intersection. The Puff vehicle came to rest along the east shoulder of Indiana Avenue just north of the intersection. The Jorgensen vehicle entered the northeast ditch and rolled over, coming to rest upside down.
Puff, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was extricated from his vehicle by mechanical means and transported to MercyOne Hospital in Oelwein where he later died.
Jorgensen sustained minor injuries.
This accident remains under investigation and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Buchanan County Sheriff’s Rescue 10, Iowa State Patrol, Hazleton Fire Department and Oelwein MercyOne Ambulance Service.