Washington County, Iowa – On Sunday, August 10, 2025, at approximately 10:53 a.m., emergency dispatchers received reports of a two-vehicle collision with airbag deployment and unknown injuries in the 2700 block of Highway 1, rural Washington County.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation revealed that Unit 1, operated by Kevin Pape, was traveling southbound on Highway 1, while Unit 2, operated by Travis Kleese, was traveling northbound and towing an enclosed livestock trailer.
Authorities say that as the vehicles approached one another, Pape purposely crossed the centerline and drove toward Unit 2 without regard for safety. In an effort to avoid a head-on collision, Kleese took evasive action, but Unit 1 struck the axle area of Unit 2’s trailer, causing disabling damage. Pape’s vehicle then left the roadway to the east, entered the ditch, and came to rest after striking a wooden powerline pole.
Investigators determined that Pape knowingly and intentionally attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against Unit 2, which was occupied by five individuals, none of whom were known to Pape.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Washington Police Department, Washington County Conservation, Washington County Ambulance, Washington County Rescue, Washington Fire Chief, Washington Fire Department, Washington QRS, and Moore’s Towing.