[simage=7044,max,n,center,]At approximately 7:00 Monday night Pella Fire, Ambulance, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol responded to an accident on Vermeer Road in front of Plants 5 and 6. According to the Iowa State Patrol a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 16 year old Blake Van Vark of Pella crossed the center line of the road after losing control in the icy conditions. His vehicle was struck broadside by a Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup truck, driven by Kenneth Swank also of Pella. Van Vark was transported to Pella Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The accident is being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol. Students, friends and family gathered at the site of the accident to pay their respects. Pella High School cancelled the boys basketball game at Centerville in the wake of the crash. Funeral services for Blake Van Vark were held on Saturday. KNIA/KRLS will bring you more information as soon as it becomes official.