An entire community is grieving after the body of a 15-year-old Denison girl, Yoana Acosta, was located in the Boyer River Thursday afternoon just north of Denison. Crawford County Sheriff, Jim Steinkuehler, says the eight days of searching the 36 degree waters of the river was exhausting for his crew, but he never had to push his teams or volunteers to keep going.
Search teams pulled Acosta’s body from the center of the river two and a quarter miles downstream of the accident in about two feet of water at approximately 2:12 p.m. Thursday afternoon after search dogs indicated a hit. Acosta originally went missing after a vehicle with five total passengers, driven by 25-year-old Ramon Hernandez, drove through a field and crashed into the river several miles north of Denison. One of the passengers managed to walk to a nearby home and alert authorities of the incident at approximately 3:06 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Steinkuehler indicated Acosta was alive when authorities first arrived on scene, but she was swept away by the river while rescue attempts were underway. Crawford County Attorney, Roger Sailer, says initial investigations led to Hernandez’ arrest Monday.
Hernandez is charged with several drug-related felonies and vehicle-related offenses. Sailer indicated those charges are only preliminary charges and are subject to change. Three of the five passengers have been identified. The driver, 25-year-old Ramon Hernandez, Acosta’s sister, 19-year-old Valerie Acosta, 15-year-old Yoana Acosta, and two unidentified 16-year-old passengers. Steinkuehler says this past week has taken a toll on both the searchers and the Acosta family.
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Crawford County Ambulance, Denison Fire and Rescue, Carroll County Rescue and Dive Team, the DNR, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Lake View Rescue, Manilla Fire and Ambulance, Dow City Fire, Schleswig Fire, Deloit Fire, Westside Fire, Vail Fire, Kiron First Responders, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Mapleton Ambulance, Ankeny and Hardin County Dog Teams, the Iowa State Patrol and Task Force-1 all assisted in the search.
