Three Killed, Three Others Injured in Four-Vehicle Iowa Accident
Three people were killed in a Sunday afternoon accident, and three others were injured. All but one of those involved were from the state of Iowa.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident happened just after 4:20 p.m. Sunday afternoon in extreme west-central Iowa.
The Iowa State Patrol says a 1990 Kenworth truck driven by 73-year-old Ronald Meeker was westbound on Iowa 127 when he "failed to negotiate (a) curve and stop at (a) stop sign" at Loess Hills Trail/Iowa 127. The intersection is between Mondamin and Magnolia, Iowa in Harrison County.
After losing control, Meeker's Kenworth truck rolled onto its side and into the southbound lane of Iowa 127. When it did so, it hit a 2014 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle went into the ditch, throwing both the driver, 53-year-old Steven Starkey, and his passenger, 53-year-old Julie Starkey. Meeker, Steven Starkey, and Julie Starkey were all three killed. Meeker was from Woodbine, Iowa. Steven and Julie Starkey were both from Council Bluffs.
52-year-old Joseph Baker of Yutan, Nebraska was driving a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was injured. He was able to get the motorcycle on its side and jumped from the bike before being hit by the Kenworth truck. Baker was taken to CHI Health Missouri Valley in Missouri Valley, Iowa by Mondamin Rescue. His condition is unknown.
Adam Opal and Samantha Opal, both 38 years old and from McClelland, Iowa, were able to avoid contact with the Kenworth truck. However, both were thrown from the 2004 Yamaha motorcycle they were riding. Adam and Samantha Opal were both transported by air to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Their conditions are unknown.