Michael Mendez Obituary, Death – A tragic single-vehicle crash in Wright County on Sunday evening left one man dead and two others injured, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The accident was reported at approximately 7:19 p.m. along County Road R-38, about eight miles south of Clarion. Authorities said the vehicle involved, a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, was being driven by 24-year-old Josue Castanon Coronado. While heading southbound, the car’s passenger-side wheels slipped off the edge of the roadway. Investigators believe this caused Coronado to lose control of the vehicle.
The car then veered off the road, striking a utility pole before crashing into a nearby cornfield. Following the impact, the vehicle caught fire. The force of the crash was so severe that Coronado and both of his passengers were ejected from the car.
The Iowa State Patrol identified the passengers as 20-year-old Antoni Emmanuel Castanon Coronado and 36-year-old Michael Mendez of Webster City. Emergency responders confirmed that Mendez died as a result of the accident. Josue Coronado, the driver, and Antoni Coronado both sustained injuries in the crash, though officials did not immediately provide details regarding the severity of their conditions.
Investigators noted that none of the three men had been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, a factor that likely contributed to the severity of the injuries and the fatality. Authorities stressed that the absence of seat belt use remains a leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries in roadway accidents.
Local emergency crews responded quickly to the scene. The Clarion Fire Department assisted in managing the vehicle fire, while medical aid was provided by both Clarion and Eagle Grove ambulance services. Despite the coordinated response, officials confirmed that Michael Mendez could not be saved.
The Iowa State Patrol has launched an investigation to determine the precise circumstances that led to the deadly wreck. At this time, it remains unclear why the vehicle initially drifted off the road, though officials will examine possible factors such as speed, driver distraction, or road conditions.
The crash serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of not wearing seat belts and the unpredictable outcomes of roadway accidents. Authorities often emphasize that seat belts are the simplest and most effective means of protecting vehicle occupants during collisions.
The deadly incident has left one family grieving the loss of Michael Mendez while two others recover from their injuries. As of now, no further updates have been released regarding the conditions of Josue and Antoni Coronado.
The Iowa State Patrol is expected to release additional details as their investigation continues. In the meantime, local officials are urging drivers and passengers alike to make seat belt use a consistent habit in an effort to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
