Mason City woman killed while walking along Interstate 35

CLEAR LAKE – A Mason City woman was tragically killed early Saturday morning as she walked along Interstate 35 near Clear Lake.

According to Clear Lake Chief of Police Michael Colby, on November 2, 2024, at 1:04 AM, the Clear Lake Police Department responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian fatal accident occurring on Interstate 35 in the south bound lanes.

The Clear Lake Police Department Emergency Communication Center had received numerous 911 calls regarding two pedestrians in the southbound lanes of I‐35 near mile marker 194. A short time later, an additional caller reported one of the pedestrians had been stuck by a passing truck.

Clear Lake Officers arrived on scene within four minutes of the first call, locating the pedestrian.

Michelle Schutz, 59 of Mason City, Iowa was found deceased as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. The vehicle involved had left he scene, and was later located by law enforcement traveling south on I‐35 near Ankeny, Iowa. The driver was identified as Henry Moss Jr., 60 of Des Moines, Iowa.

Due to the nature of the crash, the Clear Lake Police Department requested the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol to complete a technical accident investigation.

Along with the Iowa State Patrol, the Clear Lake Police Department was assisted by the Clear Lake Fire Department and Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident remains under investigation, any additional requests for information about this incident should be directed to the Iowa State Patrol District 8 office.