A tragic accident in Humboldt County, Iowa on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, claimed the life of 83-year-old Paul Bengtson of Storm Lake. The incident occurred just after 1 p.m. on Iowa Highway 3, about four miles east of Humboldt, and has left his family, friends, and the local community devastated.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Paul Bengtson was driving his 2020 Ford Edge SUV when the crash occurred. For reasons still under investigation, he crossed the center line while traveling eastbound on Highway 3. After veering off course, it appears that Bengtson overcorrected, which caused his vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a ditch. Tragically, the vehicle rolled multiple times before coming to a stop.

Emergency responders from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Humboldt Fire Department arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and assisted with the investigation and cleanup. Despite the quick response from emergency personnel, Paul Bengtson was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries sustained in the crash.

The death of Paul Bengtson has deeply affected his family and the Storm Lake community, where he was known as a dedicated and involved individual. While not much information about his personal life has been released, local residents and friends remember him as a friendly and kind person who was active in his community. His passing has left a void that will be felt by all who knew him.

At 83 years old, Bengtson was in the later years of his life, but it is clear that his impact on those around him was significant. Those who knew him have expressed their grief, and many are left to mourn the loss of a man who led a full life and who was loved by his family and peers.

The Iowa State Patrol has launched an official investigation into the crash, with authorities working to understand the specific circumstances that led to Bengtson’s loss of control. The initial report from the State Patrol indicates that Bengtson’s vehicle crossed the center line and then overcorrected, which caused the SUV to leave the road and roll. Investigators are looking into whether any external factors, such as road conditions or weather, played a role in the crash.