Tailgate Passenger Dies from Injuries after Pickup Incident in Volga

Authorities have now released information about an incident that left one person dead in Clayton County three weeks ago.

It happened in Volga on Domino Road near the Volga Campground the night of Saturday, July 29th . The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office says videos of the incident obtained from witnesses showed a series of three pickup trucks rapidly accelerating in succession. 

One of the pickup trucks was carrying seven people, including two men who were seated in the back on the downed tailgate. The two men, 24-year old William Gross and 21-year old Brett Gross, both of St. Joseph, Missouri, were ejected from the pickup onto the pavement below. Both men were transported to Mercy One Elkader Medical Center before being airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City in critical condition. 

William Gross died from his injuries on July 31st. Brett Gross remained hospitalized and was later released. 

None of the other occupants 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.