Accident Claims Life Of Pella Teen

Iowa State Patrol Squad Car

Pella, Iowa – Blake Mattingly Van Vark, 16, of Pella, was killed last night when the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving was involved in a two vehicle accident.

The accident happened about 1/2 mile west of Adams Ave on Vermeer Road at 6:46 pm (In front of plants 5 and 6).

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Van Vark had been traveling east on Vermeer Road, lost control and crossed the centerline and was struck broadside, on the passenger side, by the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by 60-year-old Kenneth Allen Swank, also of Pella.

The Jeep of Van Vark slid into the south ditch after the impact, while the Dodge of Swank came to rest on the roadway.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts. Van Vark was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Pella, while Swank refused treatment.

The accident report states that Vermeer Road was 100% ice-covered at the time, but the accident remains under investigation and charges are pending.