ESTHERVILLE — A Northern Iowa man was killed and a semi driver was injured Friday evening in a fiery two-vehicle crash east of Estherville.
The crash happened at 6:42 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, in the 4100 block of Highway 9, east of Estherville, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
Investigators said a 1996 GMC Sierra C1500 driven by 41-year-old John James Bumgart of Armstrong was traveling westbound on Highway 9 east of 410th Avenue, also known as N32.
At the same time, a 2020 Peterbilt semi tractor driven by 50-year-old Karie Marie Eisma of Hawarden was traveling eastbound on Highway 9 west of 410th Avenue, according to the crash report.
The State Patrol said Bumgart’s pickup crossed the center line and struck the semi.
After the collision, Bumgart’s pickup went into the north ditch. The semi went into the south ditch, started on fire and became fully engulfed.
Bumgart was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash report said he was not wearing a seat belt.
Eisma was injured and taken by Estherville ambulance to Holy Family Hospital in Estherville. The crash report said Eisma was wearing a seat belt.
The semi was registered to Eisma Trucking Inc. of Hawarden, according to the report.
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by multiple ISP units. The crash remains part of the agency’s fatal crash reporting.