Newton man killed in Jasper County accident early Monday morning

A Newton man was pronounced dead at the scene after an accident involving a bicycle and a semi early Monday morning according to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.

The JCSO responded to a 911 call for an accident at 4:30 a.m. Jan. 6 in the 8000 block of Highway 6 East between Kellogg and Newton. The reporting party indicated that a semi-tractor trailer had struck an individual on a bicycle.

"There was a semi pulled over on the side of the road ... There was a bicycle on the south side of the road," Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said.

At the time of the accident, the JCSO did not know the identity of the man who was struck. The JCSO held a press conference Monday afternoon revealing the identity of the victim, revealing Jermey R. Williams, 43, of Newton, as the man killed and the driver of the semi was Melvin Ties of Newton.

"First and foremost our heart goes out to the family, it is very unfortunate," Halferty said.

JCSO deputies, Kellogg Fire and EMS and the Iowa State Patrol responded to the accident. The driver of the semi stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Halferty said the bicyclist was not wearing any reflective gear or helmet.

"It is just a reminder to wear reflective clothing and safety gear if it is appropriate. People don't always see bicycles or pedestrians and so you just have to have your head on a swivel when you're out there," Halferty said.

The Iowa State Patrol is continuing its investigation into the accident.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com