Authorities have released more details of a two-vehicle accident in Ida County on Friday that killed a Denison man and seriously injured a Schleswig resident. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on April 28 near the Crawford Creek Recreation Area south of Battle Creek. Authorities say a 2013 Dodge pickup, driven by 33-year-old Colton Claussen of Schleswig, was traveling northbound on County Road L51 and crossed the centerline into the path of a southbound 1999 Pontiac sedan, operated by 59-year-old Russell Mefferd of Denison. Following the collision, the Claussen truck rolled and came to rest on its wheels in the west ditch. The Mefferd sedan spun after impact and came to rest facing north in the west ditch. Mefferd was pronounced dead at the scene, and Claussen was transported to Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove for treatment of injuries. The Ida County Sheriff’s Office, Ida County Emergency Medical Services, and several area fire departments also assisted at the scene. The Iowa State Patrol says Friday’s accident remains under investigation.
