A Buena Vista University (BVU) student has died following a two-vehicle crash south of Storm Lake yesterday afternoon. Two other BVU students were injured.
BVU President Brian Lenzmeier announced the death of Kaylee Nachtigal in an email to the university community Monday evening. He said the two other students involved in the crash sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention.
Lenzmeier described the accident as a tragedy, offering condolences to Nachtigal’s family, friends and classmates and expressing support for the injured students and their families.
The crash happened at the intersection of Iowa Highway 110 and 85th Avenue, near the Storm Lake Municipal Airport.
Multiple emergency agencies responded, including the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Storm Lake Fire Department and ambulances from Buena Vista Regional Medical Center (BVRMC).
Two medical helicopters also were dispatched to the scene. One landed at BVRMC, while the other landed at the airport. Highway 110 was blocked in both directions as emergency crews worked at the scene.
Nachtigal was from Dickens and graduated from Spencer High School in 2024. She had competed on BVU’s women’s wrestling team.
The cause of the crash and the extent of the other students’ injuries have not been released. An official crash report was not available as of Tuesday morning.
Lenzmeier said support resources were being made available to the BVU campus community.
