Man dies after exposure to extreme cold near site of accident in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man died at Mercy Hospital after being exposed to extreme temperatures this weekend.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said first responders were called out for a man found lying on the ground next to a vehicle at 7:48 a.m. Sunday. Police, fire and ambulance personnel found a PT Cruiser that was approximately 20 to 30 yards off the traveled portion of the road. A property damage crash was discovered at Memorial Drive and McCarthy Road SE in Cedar Rapids.

Buelow said the subject - identified as 39-year-old Jacob Hayes - slid off the road and hit a sign sometime overnight. Hayes then got out of the car, started working and most likely slipped. He was found outside of his car.

The temperature at the time authorities found Hayes was -11 degrees, Buelow said.

Hayes was breathing when first responders found him, but suffering from 'severe hypothermia.” He was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where he later died.

Buelow said the death remains under investigation.