The Iowa State Patrol has released the details of a tragic collision in Calhoun County that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Kyle Robert Rath of Auburn, Iowa.

Incident Details
The collision occurred on the evening of Sunday, April 12, 2026, at approximately 9:02 p.m. at the intersection of Harris Avenue and 290th Street, north of Lake City.

The Vehicles: A 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by 21-year-old Jaxyn Stone Blum of Auburn, was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck the rear driver’s side of a 2021 Polaris UTV (side-by-side).

The Impact: The force of the collision caused the UTV to roll multiple times before coming to rest on its top in a nearby field.

The Outcome: * Kyle Robert Rath (19), a passenger in the UTV, was ejected from the vehicle and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Roger William King (21), the operator of the UTV, sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital for treatment.

Investigation Findings
According to the preliminary report from the Iowa State Patrol, authorities have determined that an altercation between the parties had occurred at a nearby residence prior to the crash. Following the collision, the driver of the truck, Jaxyn Stone Blum, briefly entered the north ditch before driving out and leaving the scene of the accident.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, supported by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), local fire and EMS departments, and the Manson Police Department.

This is a profoundly difficult time for the families and the local community. Further updates will likely be provided by local law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.