On July 29th, 2023, at approximately 7:05 PM, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office took several reports of a motor vehicle accident in the City of Volga. Upon arrival, it was determined a white 2017 GMC Sierra occupied with seven individuals was being operated southwest on Domino Road near the Volga Campground. Videos of the incident obtained from witnesses showed a series of three pickup trucks rapidly accelerating in succession, with the GMC Sierra being the third and final. At the time of the incident, the pickup was being operated by Tucker Baker (24) of St Joseph, Missouri. Two male subjects identified as William Gross (24) and Brett Gross (21) both of St Joseph, Missouri were seated on the down tailgate of the pickup. The Grosses were unable to remain seated on the tailgate due to the rapid acceleration, which caused them to be fully ejected from the vehicle onto the pavement below.
The Grosses were transported by Mercy One Elkader Ambulance to Mercy One Elkader Medical Center. Both were then transported by Air Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in critical condition. William Gross died on July 31st, 2023 from injuries sustained in the incident. Brett Gross remained hospitalized and was later released. None of the other occupants of the pickup were injured. The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office Technical Collision Investigators have presented the case to the Clayton County Attorney’s Office for possible charges. The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Elkader Police Department, Clayton County Conservation, MercyOne Elkader Ambulance, Volga Fire, Volga First Responders, LifeGuard Air Ambulance, and Air Care 2 Air Ambulance.