Teen killed in Poweshiek County UTV crash identified

A 13-year-old who died last week in a UTV crash has been identified by the Iowa State Patrol.

Nolan Bayer, 13, was a passenger in a Polaris Ranger Crew utility vehicle being driven by an 11-year-old on Friday evening at about 5:20 p.m., when the driver lost control on a turn.

They were traveling south on 230th Street, turning onto 450th Avenue southeast of Guernsey. The vehicle rolled on the driver’s side into the north ditch.

Bayer was killed in the crash, and the 11-year-old was injured and transported to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics via AirCare.

According to an obituary published by the Holland-Coble Funeral Home, Bayer was born in Cedar Rapids and had just finished seventh grade at the Lutheran Interparish School in Williamsburg. He enjoyed singing and watching and playing sports.

“He was a jokester and enjoyed a good laugh, but most of all was a giver, helper and planner,” the obituary reads.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday at the St. John’s Lutheran Church south of Victor.

The crash is being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, which was assisted by the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office, Montezuma Ambulance, Deep River Fire and the Poweshiek County Medical Examiner.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com