Two children killed in Jones County crash

ANAMOSA - Two children were killed in a crash south of Anamosa on Sunday.

According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, around 2:10 p.m. Sunday, a semi-trailer truck driven by 41-year-old Ryan D. Powers of Horicon, Wis., was southbound on Highway 151. At that time, a sport-utility vehicle driven by 32-year-old Brandon J. Hunter, of Monticello, was eastbound on 215th Avenue.

Authorities said Hunter's SUV slid through a stop sign and was hit by Powers' semi. Donald Hunter, 6, and Diamond Hunter, 8, died of injuries suffered in the crash. Brandon Hunter, 31-year-old Molli J. Hunter and 13-year-old Hope Hunter were injured in the crash, according to the state patrol.

Troy Sauter, business manager for the Local 89 Ironworkers union, said Brandon Hunter is a member of the union. Hunter's two older brothers and father are also ironworkers, Sauter said.

Sauter said the Hunter family was on the way home from Anamosa - where they were making Christmas cookies - when the crash occurred.

'Him and his wife have been together since they were teenagers,” Sauter said. 'They're just all-around good people.”

Sauter started a GoFundMe fundraiser to support the family. He said members of not only the ironworkers union, but other local unions have made donations.

'Part of my job is to take care of my members,” Sauter said. 'We all stick together. We help each other out in a time of need.”

The crash remains under investigation.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com