Story Updated 9/10/25 at 3:20 pm
The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that happened Tuesday afternoon at the North Junction of Highways 75 and 18, west of Hull.
Story Update: Authorities say that a Cadillac Escalade, driven by 17-year-old Dominic Olvera Flores from Rock Valley, was stopped facing east on Highway 18, pulled out from the stop sign, and was struck by a Peterbilt semi driven by 53-year-old Michael Bembenek of Rosholt, Wisconsin, which had been northbound on Highway 75.
17-year-old Axel De Santos, also from Rock Valley, was in the passenger seat as the vehicle was struck by the semi. He was transported to the Sioux Center Hospital and was pronounced dead. The driver, Olvera Flores, was transported to Hegg Memorial and then airlifted via helicopter to Avera in Sioux Falls.
Bembenek reported no injuries. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Iowa State Patrol.
