Grief counselors are at Shenandoah High School today after the school’s head volleyball coach was killed in a two-vehicle accident in Page County. The Iowa State Patrol says 45-year-old Chad Van Houten died in the accident occurring at around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon on County Road J-32- near Shenandoah.
The patrol says Van Houten’s westbound vehicle collided head-on with an eastbound vehicle driven by 64-year-old Larry Wise of Clarinda at the crest of a hill. Van Houten was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Wise was transported by Shenandoah Rescue to Shenandoah Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Both men were wearing their seatbelts.
The patrol is still investigating the accident. Ferguson Road was closed for several hours Tuesday afternoon while authorities investigated the accident scene. Last night’s Shenandoah School Board meeting was rescheduled to Thursday evening because of the accident.
In addition to serving as Shenandoah High’s volleyball coach, Van Houten also owned Jay Drug in downtown Shenandoah.
By Mike Peterson, KMA, Shenandoah