Linda Metzger, Charles Metzger Cause Of Death – An investigation is underway following a tragic two-vehicle crash in eastern Sioux Falls that claimed the lives of an elderly couple from Iowa. Authorities have identified the victims as 77-year-old Charles Metzger and his 78-year-old wife, Linda Metzger, both residents of Lester, Iowa.
The fatal collision occurred on the evening of Friday, May 9, just before 6:30 p.m. Sioux Falls police were dispatched to the intersection of Veterans Parkway and 57th Street after receiving reports of a serious crash involving two vehicles. According to police spokesperson Sam Clemens, the couple had been traveling northbound on Veterans Parkway at the time of the incident.
Charles Metzger was behind the wheel and attempted to make a left turn onto 57th Street while proceeding through the intersection under a flashing yellow arrow. As Metzger made the turn, his vehicle crossed into the path of a southbound pickup truck that was driving straight through the intersection on a solid green light. The resulting collision was severe and had devastating consequences.
Linda Metzger, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. Charles Metzger was transported to a nearby hospital, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was later declared dead. The couple had been traveling together when their vehicle was struck with such force that both sustained fatal trauma.
The driver of the pickup truck involved in the collision was also injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police have not yet released the name of the pickup driver but confirmed that the injuries were serious. Authorities have not provided an update on that individual’s current condition.
The Sioux Falls Police Department’s Traffic Division has taken charge of the investigation. Officials are currently reviewing all available evidence to determine the exact cause of the crash. While traffic camera footage from the intersection has been helpful, Clemens stated that many questions still remain unanswered.
Investigators are exploring whether external factors such as excessive speed, alcohol use, or drug impairment could have contributed to the incident. However, Clemens emphasized that it is still too early in the investigation to draw any conclusions or speculate about potential charges. He stated that no decisions will be made until a thorough analysis of the evidence is complete.
The intersection of Veterans Parkway and 57th Street is a busy area that sees regular traffic, especially during evening hours. Crashes at intersections are not uncommon and are often the result of driver error, misjudgment, or confusion over traffic signals. In this case, the flashing yellow arrow allowed Charles Metzger to make a left turn, but only if it was safe to do so. Unfortunately, the oncoming pickup truck, which had the right-of-way under a solid green light, collided with the Metzgers’ vehicle mid-turn.
This tragedy has deeply impacted both the Sioux Falls and Lester communities. Charles and Linda Metzger were long-time residents of Lester, a small town in northwestern Iowa near the South Dakota border. They were known to many as a warm, friendly couple, and news of their deaths has been met with grief and condolences from friends, neighbors, and local community members.
In the days following the crash, tributes to the Metzgers have begun to appear online and within the Lester community, where their loss is being felt profoundly. Friends and relatives have remembered them as kind, generous, and deeply devoted to each other.
While the crash remains under investigation, authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution at intersections, particularly when making turns through flashing yellow signals. Police stress that a flashing yellow arrow does not grant the right of way and that it remains the driver’s responsibility to ensure the path is clear before turning.
As the Sioux Falls Police Department continues its investigation, they are calling for any witnesses or individuals with additional information to come forward. Investigators hope that further details will help them piece together the sequence of events that led to this devastating crash and determine whether any further legal action is warranted.
The deaths of Charles and Linda Metzger serve as a somber reminder of the dangers that can occur in everyday driving situations. Even a momentary lapse in judgment or a miscalculation at a busy intersection can result in irreversible consequences. As the community mourns their loss, efforts to uncover the full story behind the crash remain ongoing.
Authorities expect to release more information as the investigation progresses. For now, the focus remains on gathering facts, reviewing traffic camera footage, and analyzing evidence to determine exactly what went wrong that evening on Veterans Parkway. The Sioux Falls Police Department has extended its condolences to the Metzger family and pledged to conduct a thorough and respectful investigation.