Rock Valley, Iowa — A Rock Valley teen and an Inwood man were taken to the hospital after a crash in Rock Valley on Monday, April 6, 2026.
The Rock Valley Police Department reports that at about 8:00 a.m., 16-year-old Mara Kuyper of Rock Valley was driving a 2013 Chevy eastbound on Highway 18, on the east side of Rock Valley. They tell us that 42-year-old Christopher Van Beek of Inwood was also eastbound on 18 in a 2024 Ford pickup, in front of Kuyper.
The report says that Van Beek was stopped waiting to make a left turn when his pickup was rear-ended by Kuyper. Kuyper told the officer that she was reaching for an object and was distracted. Glare was also a contributing factor as both drivers were traversing uphill and looking into the sun.
A parent took Kuyper to Hegg Health Center Hospital. The Rock Valley Ambulance took Van Beek to Hegg Health Center Avera Hospital. He was reported to have head and neck injuries.
Kuyper’s Chevy sustained $20,000 in damages, which totaled the vehicle. Van Beek’s Ford pickup sustained $15,000 in damages.
Kuyper was charged with following too closely.
KIWA Staff Photo
