HARRISON COUNTY – A head-on collision on Highway 30 in Harrison County claimed the life of a 30-year-old woman on Monday evening, March 2, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
The accident occurred at approximately 5:42 p.m. just west of 260th Street, southwest of Logan. Investigators report that the crash took place when an eastbound vehicle crossed the centerline of the roadway and struck an oncoming vehicle in the westbound lane.
The driver of the eastbound vehicle, a 2012 Toyota RAV4, was identified as 30-year-old Merari Eduviges Perez of Manilla. According to the state patrol’s technical report, Perez’s SUV entered the westbound lane and collided with a 2018 GMC Sierra driven by 57-year-old Daryl Jay Fichter of Missouri Valley. Fichter was reportedly unable to avoid the impact as the RAV4 crossed directly into his path on that Monday evening.
Harrison County EMS responded to the scene and transported both drivers to Missouri Valley Hospital. Perez sustained fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead. Fichter suffered serious injuries and remains under medical care. State authorities noted that while both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash on March 2, 2026, the force of the impact was unfortunately fatal for the Manilla woman.
Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene by Mark’s Towing. The Iowa State Patrol is continuing to investigate the factors that led Perez to cross the centerline. No further details regarding Fichter’s current condition or potential contributing factors like weather or speed have been released at this time.