The Iowa State Patrol has completed their investigation of the four-person vehicle fatality crash that occurred on I-80 near Waukee in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 26th.
The Investigation revealed Benjamin E. Beary was traveling at approximately 102 mph at the time of impact and had a blood alcohol concentration of .223. The police SUV was traveling at approximately 79 mph. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Beary’s family has released a statement yesterday saying in part they deeply saddened by the details surrounding the accident and that they had hoped in their hearts there was a different explanation. The Beary’s also encouraged anyone drinking to have a plan for a safe ride home. The full statement and investigation details are below:
The family of Benjamin Edward Beary released the following statement after receiving information from the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s accident investigation:
Our family is deeply saddened by the circumstances surrounding the accident that took the lives of Carlos Puente-Morales, Susan Farrell, Tosha Nicole Hyatt, and Ben Beary himself. In our hearts we had hoped for a different explanation for the night’s events. But the reality is that Ben’s level of intoxication led a good person to make a choice that left a wake of grief for our family and, unforgivably, three others as well. Nothing can excuse the mistakes Ben made that night and our hearts are broken with the knowledge that he caused so much sorrow. To love, we must love the whole person, not just what is easy or convenient. Our family will always love and remember Ben, but it is difficult to accept that the person we will remember is also the one who caused this heartache to our community.
No one will ever count the number of times he made the safe choice, because this time he didn’t, and that’s all that matters now. It only takes one time, one mistake, to change the course of your life. Please protect yourself, protect your loved ones and those who could be left in your wake; make a plan before you drink so you are never in a situation where you might drive. No one wishes more than we do that Ben had done that on March 26th.
Additional details in the ISP report:
– The Des Moines Police unit was traveling at a speed of approximately 79 mph at the time of impact.
– Speed zone for this particular area of the interstate is 70 mph.
– Iowa State Patrol Technical Investigators determined that at the time of the crash, there was no braking by either vehicle. The crash occurred just beyond the crest of a small incline and is the investigators’ conclusion that the Des Moines officers could not see the Ford Taurus until just before impact.
– The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner concluded that the 3 occupants in the Des Moines Police unit died from multiple blunt force injuries. The cause of death for Mr. Beary was determined to be from multiple blunt force injuries, thermal injuries, and smoke inhalation.
– This report also showed recent use of marijuana by Mr. Beary.
– Toxicology reports for the Des Moines officers were negative for alcohol and common illicit or prescription drugs.
– Based upon the investigation, the Iowa State Patrol’s Technical Investigator(s) concluded that Mr. Beary merged onto I-80 at the Grand Prairie Parkway interchange driving westbound into the eastbound lanes of travel. This interchange is marked appropriately with signage and markings. The investigators concluded that Mr. Beary’s high level of impairment resulted in him driving the wrong way on the interstate.