Two Minnesota residents killed in head-on accident near Floyd

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Two Minnesota residents including a 16-year-old were killed in a head-on collision Sunday afternoon about a mile west of Floyd on the Avenue of the Saints.

The accident occurred a little before 4 p.m. in the eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 18/Iowa 27 at about mile marker 209, in an area that is currently diverted to two-way traffic because the westbound lane is closed for construction this summer.

According to a report by the Iowa State Patrol, Jenna Stangland, age 37, of Minneapolis, was driving eastbound on the highway in a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Stangland crossed the center line then took action to return to her lane.

Steven York, age 74, of Waconia, Minnesota, was driving a 2017 Toyota Prius westbound on the highway, apparently saw Stangland cross the center line and took evasive action, and a head-on collision occurred, according to the State Patrol report.

York and a passenger in his vehicle, Keira Duffy, age 16, of Golden Valley, Minnesota, were both killed and were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.

Another passenger in the York vehicle, Mary York, age 74, of Waconia, as well as Stangland, the driver of the Jeep, were both injured and transported to MercyOne-North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. Mary York was transported by MercyOne Air Med, and Stangland was transported by AMR ambulance of Charles City.

All the persons in both vehicles were reported to be wearing their seatbelts.

Also assisting at the scene were the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Floyd Fire Department and Colwell Fire Department.