“Head-On Collision Near Spencer Leaves One Man Dead and a Child Injured”
Spencer, Iowa — County Road B24, near the intersection east of town.
An ordinary November morning turned into tragedy just after sunrise when two SUVs collided head-on along a quiet stretch of County Road B24, just outside Spencer, Iowa. The crash, which occurred at approximately 7:23 a.m., left one man gone, another hospitalized, and a young child trapped in the wreckage — miraculously alive.
The victim has been identified as Ryan Cundiff, 35, of Spencer. According to the Iowa State Patrol, Cundiff was driving westbound in his 2017 Chevrolet Traverse when, for reasons investigators are still working to determine, his vehicle drifted across the center yellow line and entered the eastbound lane. At the same time, Gabriel Campbell, 20, of Hartley, was driving his 2014 GMC Acadia in the opposite direction. With no time to react or swerve, the two SUVs collided head-on at highway speed, their front ends collapsing inward from the force.
Troopers arrived within minutes to find both vehicles badly mangled, debris scattered across the road, and a small child crying from inside one of the SUVs. Ryan Cundiff, who had not been wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later confirmed that his lack of restraint likely played a crucial role in the severity of his injuries. “It’s possible that a seatbelt could have changed the outcome,” said one trooper, “but the impact was catastrophic either way.”
Cundiff’s five-year-old child, whose name has not been released, was rescued from the wreckage after being trapped for several minutes. Emergency responders carefully cut through the crumpled metal to reach the child, who was alert but injured. The child was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital and later airlifted to a trauma center for further evaluation. Miraculously, officials described the child’s condition as stable.
Gabriel Campbell, the driver of the other vehicle, sustained moderate injuries and was also taken to the hospital. Campbell, a 20-year-old resident of Hartley, had been driving eastbound on his usual morning route. Friends say he is a quiet young man, hardworking and devoted to his family. His loved ones are thankful he survived but remain deeply shaken by what happened.
The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate what caused Cundiff’s SUV to cross into oncoming traffic. Investigators are considering several possible explanations, including distraction, drowsiness, or a sudden medical emergency. Troopers have asked for help from anyone who may have seen the vehicles before impact, as witness accounts could help clarify the moments leading up to the collision.
Both vehicles were totaled in the crash. The Chevrolet Traverse came to rest on the shoulder of the westbound lane, its front end nearly unrecognizable. The GMC Acadia remained on the road, its frame twisted from the impact. Traffic on County Road B24 was halted for nearly three hours as crews worked to document the scene, remove debris, and tow the wrecked SUVs.
Authorities emphasized that weather and road conditions were not factors in the collision. It was a clear, calm morning — dry pavement, no fog or ice — which has made the question of why the Traverse crossed the center line even more perplexing.
In Spencer, the loss of Ryan Cundiff has left a deep mark. Friends describe him as a devoted father, a dependable coworker, and someone who loved spending weekends outdoors with his young child. “He was proud to be a dad,” said one family friend. “He always had that little one with him, whether it was a trip to the park or just running errands. It breaks our hearts knowing that child had to see this.”
The tragedy has also shaken nearby Hartley, where community members have expressed support for the Campbell family as Gabriel continues his recovery. Local residents have been leaving messages of sympathy and prayers on social media, hoping for healing for everyone involved — especially the child who survived against the odds.
As the investigation continues, troopers remind drivers to stay alert, wear seatbelts, and remember that even a momentary lapse can change lives forever. “This crash happened in seconds,” said a spokesperson for the Iowa State Patrol. “Two families will never be the same.”
A small roadside memorial now marks the spot where Ryan Cundiff’s journey ended — flowers, candles, and a child’s stuffed toy placed carefully near the tire tracks. It stands as a quiet reminder of how quickly life can shift from ordinary to tragic, and how one small child’s survival brings both sorrow and hope to a grieving community.
May Ryan Cundiff rest in peace.