Wales man killed in head-on collision

MALVERN — While this winter has been a comparatively mild one, a second dusting of snow last week caused a second major car accident on Highway 34 in less than a month.

Randall Jones, 62, of Wales, died Wednesday at 5 p.m. when his 2003 Buick collided head-on with a 1997 Ford pickup, driven by Agustin Agrueta, two miles east of Malvern.

Agrueta, 40, of Omaha, was driving west on Highway 34 when his vehicle collided with the eastbound Buick.

According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, the collision occurred near the center of the highway and an investigation continues into which vehicle lost control. The road was partially snow covered and visibility was reduced by high winds and blowing snow.

Highway 34 was closed for several hours Wednesday evening for the investigation.

Jones, who was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Argueta and two passengers in his vehicle, Hector Gimenez, 21, and Rubin Antonio Soza Alvarez, 28, were all transported to Creighton Medical Center with injuries.

Argueta and Alvarez were both wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

According to his obituary which appears on P. 4A of today’s Red Oak Express, Jones is a 1967 Red Oak High School graduate, and Vietnam War Veteran.

He worked as a custodian in the Red Oak school district before attending college and earning his LPN certification.

After obtaining that, he went to work for Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak, and was currently employed at the Glenwood State School.

His funeral was Tuesday, Jan. 17.

On Thursday, Dec. 8, Highway 34 was also closed for another major accident near Malvern.

There were no fatalities in that accident.