Crash near Moneta injures four

(Photo submitted) Clay County Deputies were called to a location Monday morning for a head-on collision near unincorporated Moneta. Both drivers and a passenger in each vehicle sustained injuries. None of the injuries are considered to be life-threatening.

Crash investigators are still looking into a head-on collision in western Clay County, which sent four people to the hospital Monday morning.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-car traffic crash in the 3500 mile of 100th Avenue, just north of unincorporated Moneta at about 10:20 a.m.

Upon arrival, deputies found both vehicles either partially on the roadway or in the east ditch. The preliminary investigation suggests 60-year-old Billy Dennis Bass of Sheldon was driving his 1986 Ford F250 pick up, and pulling a trailer loaded with scrap iron, northbound on 100th Avenue. Kristin Sue Biery, 28, of Sutherland, was driving a 2000 Chevy Venture van, owned by The Pride Group, an agency in Le Mars.

It appears, shortly before the vehicles met, Biery's vehicle crossed the centerline and struck the Bass vehicle head on. The impact caused both vehicles to enter into the east ditch with Bass' trailer remaining partially on the traveled portion of the roadway.

The investigation is continuing with the primary focus being the cause for Biery's vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic, according to a statement from Chief Deputy Brad Hawley of the Clay County Sheriff's Department.

The Pride Group is an organization that provides residential care to clients with special needs. Biery, in her 911 call to the Clay County Communications Center, told dispatchers the client she was transporting "grabbed the wheel."

"In fact, the other driver said he observed the passenger grab the wheel," Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow said.

Bass, his passenger, 66-year-old Burton James Johnson of Sheldon, as well as Biery and her passenger 57-year-old Gary Allen Cooper were all transported to Spencer Hospital. Bass and Cooper were in fair to serious condition with lower extremity injuries described as incapacitating but nonlife-threatening.

Biery and Johnson were life-flighted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., each in serious condition with upper torso and head injuries, also described as incapacitating, but nonlife-threatening.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, the O'Brien County Sheriff's Office, Spencer, Everly and Hartley Fire and Rescue Units, Spencer Municipal Hospital Ambulance Service and Clay County Emergency Management. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office and the North Liberty Police Department also assisted in notifying family members.

Traffic charges are pending upon conclusion of the investigation.