News : Wednesday morning crash on Highway 30 near Van Horne kills two

A two-vehicle crash on Highway 30, approximately 1 mile west of Highway 218 corner, resulted in the deaths of two drivers, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

The victims were Jacquelin Lee T. Daggy, 51, of rural Belle Plaine; and Scott Alan Swallom, 42, Vinton of Vinton.

The accident happened around 5:00 this morning and temporarily closed the road, which has since reopened.

The initial investigation by the Benton County Sheriff's Department indicates that a 2004 Chevrolet SUV driven by Swallom was west bound on highway 30 when the driver veered across the center line and struck head on with a 2003 Buick Century driven by Daggy.

The SUV caught fire upon impact but was quickly extinguished by a passing motorist and occupants from a nearby residence. The drivers in both vehicles had to be extricated by the Jaws of Life and other rescue equipment. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

Responding to the scene was the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Blairstown Ambulance, Van Horne Fire, Van Horne First Responders, Life Guard Helicopter from Cedar Rapids, and an Investigator from the Benton County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Investigation continues by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of family members.

Four lane vs. two lane

The accident took place where the highway narrows from four lanes to two lanes.

Benton Development Group Director Ranae Becker said the widening of Highway 30 to four lanes through the 17-mile stretch of Benton County that is currently only two lanes is still on the Iowa Department of Transportion's Five Year Plan.

"They plan to begin studying the right-of-way in 2011 and hope to purchase land in 2014," said Becker.

Becker said she would be working with county leaders as well as area residents and businesses to show the Iowa DOT that there is much support among local citizens for the road-widening project.