Ashton, Iowa — A Chariton man was taken to the hospital after an accident near Ashton on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The Iowa State Patrol reports that at about 1:10 p.m., 21-year-old Holden DeMaria of Chariton was driving a 2014 Peterbilt semi southbound on Highway 60, between Ashton and the ethanol plant. They tell us that 62-year-old Darin Tutje of Sheldon was also southbound on 60 in a 2013 Peterbilt semi.
The report says that Tutje turned from 250th Street onto Highway 60 southbound. He was traveling in the right lane and had been passed by a pickup pulling a trailer. DeMaria says he did not see Tutje traveling at a slower speed until he was too close. DeMaria tried to swerve to miss Tutje but was unable to and clipped the rear driver’s side of the trailer being pulled by Tutje. The truck Tutje was driving then slid sideways across the left lane and entered the median, where it flipped over onto the driver’s side.
The Sibley Ambulance took DeMaria to Osceola Regional Health Center Hospital.
Tutje reported no injuries.
The semi driven by DeMaria sustained $75,000 in damages, and the one driven by Tutje sustained $3500 in damages.
DeMaria was charged with following too closely.
KIWA Staff Photo
