[simage=7044,max,n,center,]At approximately 7:00 last night the Pella Fire, Ambulance, 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 Mattingly 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 Allen 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 have gathered at the cite of the accident to pay their respects. Pella High School has cancelled tonight’s boys basketball games at Centerville in the wake of the crash. Pella High Athletic Director Dale Otte tells KNIA/KRLS that the JV and Varsity games are being called off in respect for the family of the student and to allow peers time to grieve.

Services for Blake Van Vark are pending at the Garden Chapel Funeral Home.

KNIA/KRLS will bring you more information as soon as it becomes official.