Accident claims life of 19........

WAGNER, BOUCHER, NESS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/1/2025 at 16:34:59

VB Co L-R
1992 JA 30

Accident claims life of 19-year-old

Thomas Joseph Wagner, 19, of Fort Madison, formerly of rural Farmington, died Sunday at 5:08 p.m. in University Hospitals, Iowa City of injuries received in a three-vehicle accident, Friday, January 24 at 10:12 p.m. on Highway 61 at the Linger Longer Park curve near Montrose.

Drivers involved were Wagner, Robert W. Boucher of 40 Lake Shore, Fowler, Illinois, no age given, and Robert James Ness, 57, of 519 South 19th Street, Keokuk.

The Lee County sheriff's office reported that Boucher was driving a semi south on Iowa Highway 61 and rounded a curve near Linger Longer Park on the left lane. He swerved back into the right lane and onto the right shoulder. His vehicle regained the roadway and jacknifed(err) slicing across the roadway to the east. It came to rest with the trailer blocking the roadway.

Wagner was northbound in a car on Highway 61 and hit the semi head-on in the southbound lane.

Ness was also northbound in a car following Wagner when he struck the trailer of the semi and the front duals.

The Montrose fire and rescue unit responded. The jaws of life were used to remove Wagner who receive major internal and upper body injuries. He was transported to Fort Madison Community Hospital and then to Iowa City.

Boucher was taken to Keokuk Area Hospital and held overnight. Wagner was a 1991 graduate of Harmony High School.
(Obituary on Page 2).

**(Obituary transcribed on "Obituary" tab.)**

Source: "Scrapbook 1991 - 1992", Pg. 105,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA