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Back-to-back crashes leave one dead
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · April 16, 2025
Back-to-back crashes resulted in one death and two injuries on Friday morning between West Branch and Tipton.
Authorities declared Zachary John Hutchinson, 36, of Clarence dead at the scene after his black 2012 Mazda CX-7 drove into a deep ditch at about 6:50 a.m. April 11 in the 1700 block of Garfield Avenue.
According to an Iowa State Patrol report by Trooper Nicholas Popp, Hutchinson was not wearing a seat belt.
His passenger, Makayla Ann Casper, 28, of Clarence also received injuries when the Mazda rolled on its top. She was transported by Tipton Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, West Branch Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman said.
Popp reported that before the crash, three vehicles were driving south on Garfield. Hutchinson apparently tried to pass a 2014 Hyundai SUV driven by Michelle Renae Foulks, 37, of Tipton, as well as a 2016 Chevrolet pickup driven by Debra Kay Cooper, 63, of West Branch.
At the same time Hutchinson attempted to pass, so did Foulks, read the report.
“(Hutchinson) took evasive action and made contact with (Cooper’s vehicle),” read Popp’s report. “(Hutchinson’s vehicle) lost control and went into the east ditch.”
A Cedar County Sheriff’s deputy and West Liberty Ambulance also responded to the scene.
After Casper was rescued from the Mazda, West Branch emergency responders used hydraulic tools to remove Hutchinson from the car.
The Cedar County Medical Examiner’s office transported Hutchinson to a State Medical Examiner’s office.
According to an obituary by Henderson-Barker Funeral Home, Hutchinson was born in Manchester to Dan Allsup and Teresa Hutchinson. He worked for Pyramid Services of Iowa City and had a love for nature, hunting, fishing, and off-roading.
Services were held Tuesday at the funeral home in West Branch.
The initial crash took place between two hills in the road. Stoolman said the hills did not seem to factor into it or a subsequent crash that occurred almost an hour later, while authorities were still clearing the scene from the first crash.
ISP Trooper Michael Taylor reported that the second crash took place about 7:45 a.m. when one vehicle rearended a second that was stopped due to the first crash.
According to the report, Jessica Lynn Young, 35, of Tipton was southbound driving a grey 2017 Honda Odyssey when she struck a trailer pulled by a white 2004 GMC Sierra pickup.
“(Young) failed to stop in an assured clear distance and its front middle made contact with the rear middle of (the pickup),” Taylor wrote. “This led to (the) trailer to lurch forward into the rear of (the pickup).”
That action pushed the pickup to the west shoulder.
Young was wearing a seat belt but sustained unspecified injuries. She was transported by West Liberty Ambulance to the UIHC.
Her vehicle sustained about $5,000 in disabling damage.
The report states that Young was driving too fast for conditions and was cited for failure to stop in assured clear distance ahead.
Stoolman said the pickup was hauling lawnmowers.
The ISP report stated that the pickup’s driver, Kent Wiley Lackey, 60, of Lone Tree, was not injured. He was wearing a seat belt.
The report estimates about $2,000 in damage to the trailer.
Brothers Towing removed the vehicles.
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