Maryville Man, 41, Dies After Impala Crosses Into Wrong Lane, Hits Tree

A 41-year-old Maryville, Missouri man died Monday afternoon after his car crossed into the wrong lane of a rural Taylor County road, left the pavement twice, and slammed into a tree. KMAland reported that Scott P. Lance was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while 96.5 KSOM identified the victim as Jeremy Lance. The crash happened around 3:55 p.m. in the 3100 block of Colt Avenue, roughly two miles south of the unincorporated community of Siam, Iowa, near the Missouri border.

According to KMAland, Iowa State Patrol troopers responded to the wreck just before 4 p.m. Investigators determined Lance was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala northbound on Colt Avenue but was traveling in the southbound lane of travel at the time. As reported by 96.5 KSOM, the vehicle partially left the roadway to the left, re-entered the road, then left the roadway a second time into a ditch before striking a tree.

State troopers reported that Lance was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. Per the same account, his body was transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office following the crash. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene, the outlet's report notes.

A Rural Crossing Point Near the State Line

The crash site sits in a stretch of southern Taylor County near the state line, according to Pastmaps. Siam itself is a small, unincorporated community, and Colt Avenue is identified in that part of southwest Iowa.

Iowa State Patrol troopers and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash.

Unbelted Drivers Remain a Persistent Factor Statewide

A report on Iowa traffic safety discusses lane departures and seat-belt use.

Iowa recorded 259 traffic fatalities in 2025, according to Roads & Bridges.

A statewide seat-belt compliance rate of 90% was cited in reporting on Iowa traffic safety.

What led Lance to cross into the opposing lane before leaving the roadway twice remains unclear, and investigators have not indicated whether mechanical failure, a medical emergency, or distraction played a role. No further details on the cause of the lane departure have been released.