Sydney E. Andersen, Aaliyah M. Martin Obituary, Death – On Saturday evening, a tragic collision in Poweshiek County, Iowa, claimed the lives of two teenagers and left four other people hospitalized. Authorities with the Iowa State Patrol have now released the identities of the victims and provided further details about how the crash unfolded.
The incident took place just outside Montezuma, along Ewart Road near its intersection with Highway 63. According to investigators, a Jeep Wrangler carrying multiple passengers was traveling east on Ewart Road around 5:30 p.m. when it approached the highway. For reasons not yet determined, the driver of the Wrangler failed to stop at the junction. As the vehicle entered the intersection, it was struck by a Jeep Renegade traveling on Highway 63. The force of the impact sent both vehicles off the roadway and into a nearby cornfield.
Two passengers riding in the backseat of the Wrangler suffered fatal injuries in the crash. They have been identified as 18-year-old Sydney E. Andersen, a resident of Grinnell, and 18-year-old Aaliyah M. Martin, of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Investigators noted that neither of the young women had been wearing seatbelts at the time, a factor that likely contributed to the severity of their injuries. Both were pronounced dead following the collision.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Wrangler, along with another passenger in the vehicle, survived the wreck but sustained injuries. Similarly, the driver and passenger in the Jeep Renegade were also hurt in the crash. All four surviving individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been publicly disclosed, and their conditions remain unclear as of the latest reports.
The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash. Authorities have not released information on whether speed, impairment, or other contributing factors played a role. However, they emphasized that the failure to stop at the intersection set the stage for the deadly collision.
This accident highlights ongoing safety concerns at rural intersections, where visibility and traffic control devices play a critical role in preventing crashes. Officials often remind drivers to remain vigilant, especially when approaching highways from side roads, and to ensure that all passengers are buckled up regardless of where they are seated in a vehicle.
The loss of Andersen and Martin has left two communities grieving. Andersen, who lived in Grinnell, was just beginning adulthood in her hometown, while Martin, visiting from New Mexico, was remembered as a vibrant young woman with ties to her community in Carlsbad. Friends and family members of both teens are now left to cope with sudden, heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have not announced whether charges will be considered in connection with the incident. The investigation remains active, with troopers expected to examine vehicle conditions, witness statements, and road factors to gain a full understanding of what led to the crash.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the injured survivors and honoring the memories of the two teenagers whose lives were cut short on what should have been an ordinary Saturday evening.
