Ralph Schultz, Perla Schultz Obituary, Death – A tragic bus accident on a rural stretch of road in western Iowa on Friday afternoon claimed the lives of two Hawaii residents and left four others, including three children, with injuries.
The fatal crash took place just west of Glenwood, a small town in Mills County, around 4 p.m. According to an official report from the Iowa State Patrol (ISP), the collision happened on Highway 34 at its intersection with 195th Street. A vehicle turning onto the highway was struck by an oncoming bus, setting off a chain of events that resulted in devastating consequences.
Authorities identified the victims of the crash as Ralph Schultz, 62, and Perla Schultz, 66, both residents of Ewa Beach, a coastal community on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The Schultzes were traveling together in the car at the time of the collision. Tragically, both were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
According to the ISP report, the vehicle the couple was driving was in the process of making a turn onto Highway 34 when a bus, which was traveling along the highway, collided with the car. The force of the impact was severe enough to cause fatal injuries to both occupants of the car. Details regarding which direction the car was turning or the speed of the vehicles involved have not yet been fully released, as the investigation is ongoing.
The bus, which was carrying a group of children, also sustained damage in the crash. In addition to the fatalities in the car, the bus driver and three children on board were injured as a result of the collision. However, ISP officials reported that their injuries were considered minor. The injured individuals were transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation and treatment. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported among those on the bus.
Emergency crews responded swiftly to the scene following reports of the crash. Multiple local agencies assisted in managing the situation, including fire and rescue teams from Glenwood and surrounding communities. First responders worked diligently to secure the area, attend to the injured, and begin the initial phases of the crash investigation.
As of Saturday, authorities continued to piece together the events that led to the collision. Investigators with the Iowa State Patrol are examining various factors, including road conditions, vehicle speeds, and whether driver error may have played a role in the crash. At this time, no charges or citations have been announced, and the investigation remains active.
The loss of Ralph and Perla Schultz has sent ripples of grief through both the local Iowa community and their home in Hawaii. The couple, originally from Ewa Beach, were reportedly visiting family and exploring the Midwest. Friends and relatives remember them as warm, kind-hearted individuals who enjoyed traveling and making new connections wherever they went.
In Hawaii, news of the couple’s deaths spread quickly among friends and neighbors. Community members in Ewa Beach gathered to express condolences and share memories of Ralph and Perla. “They were such a wonderful couple, always smiling and so full of life,” said one neighbor. “This is a heartbreaking loss for all of us.”
In Glenwood and the surrounding area, the crash has raised concerns about traffic safety on local highways, particularly at intersections such as 195th Street and Highway 34, where visibility and traffic flow can present challenges. Local officials acknowledged that while such accidents are rare, they serve as a stark reminder of the need for ongoing attention to road safety and driver awareness.
Parents of the children injured in the crash expressed relief that their loved ones had escaped with only minor injuries. “It’s a miracle that our kids are okay,” one parent said. “We are praying for the families of those who lost their lives.”
The bus involved in the crash was not a public transit vehicle but was reportedly being used for a private or school-related purpose, though officials have not disclosed the specific nature of its operation. All of the children on board were promptly reunited with their families following medical evaluations.
Counselors and support services were made available to those affected by the incident, including the children who witnessed the crash and emergency personnel who responded to the scene.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the crash to come forward. Witnesses who were in the area at the time or who may have seen the vehicles just before the collision could help provide valuable insight.
Friday’s deadly crash marks a somber moment for both the local Iowa community and the Schultzes’ friends and family in Hawaii. It serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of caution and attentiveness on the road.
The Iowa State Patrol is expected to release further details in the coming days as their investigation progresses.