Official Van Buren Sheriff's.....1989

DENLY, MITCHELL, PETERSON, SETH, FETT

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/21/2024 at 13:11:41

VB Co Reg
1989 MR 2

Official Van Buren Sheriff's statement on fatality

On Saturday evening, February 18, 1989, at approximately 7 p.m., a vehicle driven by Kevin R. Denly struck Thomas Mitchell and William Peterson, fatally injuring Mitchell. Peterson remains in serious condition at the University Hospital in Iowa City.

Alcohol appears to have been a major factor. Both victims and Denly had been drinking together prior to the Denly residence north of Farmington, the Mitchell vehicle slid into a ditch. Efforts to free the pick-up truck were futile and Denly, Mitchell and Gary Seth began walking to the Denly residence to get additional equipment to remove the truck from the ditch. Seth arrived at the residence well ahead of Mitchell and Denly, took Denly's jeep and returned to pick up his friend. It was dark and Seth did not see Denly and Mitchell in a ditch west of the ditched pickup. Seth then went to Bonaparte seeking help.

Meanwhile, Mitchell had tired from the walk and sat down to rest. Denly then went alone to his residence, called Peterson for assistance, then drove his four-wheel drive pickup back toward Mitchell to pick him up. Again, Mitchell was in a ditch and Denly did not seeing Mitchell, turned around to retrace his tracks. Meanwhile, Peterson had arrived and found Mitchell. As Peterson left his car to go Mitchell, Dely arrived at their location.

Unable to stop, Denly struck Peterson, who was in the middle of the road, and Mitchell, who was at the edge of the road. Denly, knowing he had struck Peterson, stopped and examined both Peterson and Mitchell for injuries, then drove to the Jim Fett residence and an ambulance call was made. Farmington EMTs responded and transported Mitchell and Peterson to Van Buren County Memorial hospital where Mitchell was pronounced dead. Peterson was flown by air ambulance to University Hospitals in Iowa City where he remains in serious but stable condition.

To date, no arrests have been made.

Charges are pending as the accident remains under investigation by the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department and the Iowa State Patrol.

(**#2 of 4)

Source: "Scrapbook 1989 - 1990", Pg. 579,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA