CALAMUS – A tragic UTV crash in Iowa claimed the lives of a Wheatland man and a 4-year-old child over the Memorial Day weekend.
According to an Iowa State Patrol minimal crash report, the fatal crash happened at 3:22 p.m. on May 24, 2026, at 2474 158th Avenue near Calamus in Clinton County.
The patrol said Lon Leroy Bennett, 61, of Wheatland, was driving a 2013 Polaris ATV/UTV on private land when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle left a trail and entered a south water course. The UTV then flipped onto its top.
Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 4-year-old passenger, identified in the report as Harold L. Bennett, was transported by ground ambulance to Genesis DeWitt, where he was pronounced dead.
The report indicated neither occupant was using a seat belt.
The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Iowa State Patrol District 12 office in Stockton handled the report, with Sgt. Saldivar listed as the investigating officer. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.