DUBUQUE COUNTY — A routine morning drive turned deadly Monday when two vehicles collided head-on along a remote stretch of Iowa highway, killing one traveler and injuring three others from the Northern Iowa area.
The crash happened at approximately 9:54 a.m. on July 27, 2026, at the intersection of Highway 52 and Double J Lane in Dubuque County.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, a northbound 2022 Ford Escape crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound 2017 Ford F-250.
The driver of the Ford Escape, Margaret M. Bockenstedt, 81, of Cedar Rapids, died at the scene.
The Ford F-250 was driven by Bob J. Blake, 51, of Decorah. Blake and his passengers, Cody W. Dostal, 26, of Ossian, and Jeremy K. Andera, 22, of Cresco, suffered minor injuries.
All three men were transported by Bi-County Ambulance to MercyOne Dyersville for treatment.
Bockenstedt, Blake and Dostal were wearing seat belts, according to the crash report. Investigators credited seat-belt use with saving the lives of Blake and Dostal. The report did not indicate whether Andera was wearing a seat belt.
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Dyersville Police Department, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Dyersville Fire Department, New Vienna Fire Department, Bi-County Ambulance, Iowa Department of Transportation, Dubuque County Medical Examiner’s Office, Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Tegeler’s Wrecker and Crane.
The deadly collision came just four days after four travelers were injured and a child was airlifted after a 2026 Volkswagen Taos collided with a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado and rolled several times in a Northern Iowa interstate construction zone.
The Highway 52 crash remains under investigation.
According to preliminary Iowa Department of Transportation figures, 163 people had been killed in traffic crashes on Iowa roads through July 28, 2026. The total remains subject to change as investigations are completed and additional deaths are classified as traffic-related.