Man left party about 45 minutes before he died on I-380

Hundreds of people whose lives Willie Benest touched attended his funeral Thursday, five days after he was struck on Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids.

Investigators are still trying to determine what events led up to Benest's death early Saturday morning. Police Chief Greg Graham said Thursday they are looking at all possibilities, including the rumor that he was dropped off by a motorist.

No stalled vehicles were found in the area, police said.

Stacy DeJesus, 38, of Cedar Rapids, who had allowed Benest to live with her family for the past few years, said Benest was a passenger in a vehicle when he left a party around 12:15 a.m. Saturday. She did not attend the party, but said alcohol was served.

DeJesus said earlier reports that Benest was last seen at 10 p.m. Friday were inaccurate.

Benest was killed when he was struck by multiple vehicles around 1 a.m. Saturday in the northbound lanes of I-380, just north of Glass Road NE, police said. He was 44.

DeJesus said she last saw Benest when he came home from work around 2 p.m.

“He was the usual Willie – the open spirit and happy,” DeJesus said. “He was looking forward to spending time out at the race track with us.”

Benest's father, Mark Benest, said he is aware of a full-blown police investigation, but declined to give more details.

He said the attendance at his son's funeral, estimated at around 300, shows the void he left behind.

“He knew people from all walks of life,” Mark Benest said. “He could walk in some place, and within 10 minutes, everybody knew him and he knew all of them.”

DeJesus, whose children called Benest “Uncle Willie,” said his death has left her house empty.

“It's been like a fog is over us,” DeJesus said.

Related Articles

Police identify I-380 crash victim, ask for public's help