The quiet community of Dallas Center woke up Wednesday morning to heartbreak, as 63-year-old Laura Keasey lost her life in a devastating crash at the intersection of Highway 44 (also known as 240th Street) and J Avenue (P-58). According to the Iowa State Patrol, the incident happened around 8:35 a.m. when a south-bound semi-truck failed to stop at the intersection and struck Keasey’s vehicle as she headed west.
Keasey, a longtime resident of Dallas Center, was driving a 2009 Toyota Scion when the collision occurred. The semi, a 2009 Kenworth hauling grain, was operated by 69-year-old Edward Swinger of Redfield. Investigators say the truck driver did not stop at the intersection before the impact. The patrol says Keasey was wearing her seatbelt but suffered critical trauma and was later pronounced dead at the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
First-responders from the Adel Fire Department, Dallas County EMS, and the Iowa State Patrol worked in tandem to secure the scene and assist those involved. The roadway remained closed for several hours as emergency crews cleared wreckage and investigators documented the scene. Sheriff Adam Infante of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office extended his appreciation to all involved in the response.
Those who knew Laura describe her as the kind of person who quietly brightened their days. A friend shared, “Her smile could turn an ordinary day into something better.” Kind‐hearted, generous, and deeply rooted in her community, she leaves behind an absence felt more profoundly than words. Neighbors say Laura knew virtually everyone in town—she listened, cared, and helped out without fanfare.
Friends and loved ones have begun to share memories and condolences. The suddenness of the loss has stunned the community; many are still grappling with how life will look without her easy presence. In the quiet streets of Dallas Center, conversations these days circle not around everyday concerns, but around the question: “What can we do to honor her?”
While the investigation into the crash continues, officials remind drivers everywhere of how deadly intersections can be when even the smallest error occurs. The Sheriff’s Office reiterated that when a semi fails to stop or somebody simply misjudges a signal, the consequences can be irreversible. It’s a sobering call to slow down, stay alert, and observe traffic controls.
To Laura’s family and friends: your community holds you close. In this very difficult time, may you find comfort in the memories shared, the love shown, and the legacy of compassion Laura leaves behind. Her gentle spirit will continue to live in every act of kindness she inspired.
