Northwest Missouri State University mourns death of freshman

Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri is mourning the death of a first-year college student who died on Sunday in a car crash. 

According to NWMSU, Jase Wilmes was an agricutural business major from New Market, Iowa.

The Iowa State Patrol responded to the vehicle crash around 3 a.m. on Sunday, February 23. 

According to the Patrol's report, Jase Wilmes, 19, of New Market, Iowa, was traveling eastbound on 210th Street just east of Willow Avenue, in Clarinda, Iowa, when he came up over a hill and lost control of the vehicle.

Wilmes' vehicle ran off the road to the left into a ditch, then a wooded area, striking multiple trees, vaulting and then overturning before coming to a rest within the wooded area, englufed in flames, facing west.

The Patrol reported that Wilmes' was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. However, he was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner.

Northwest is offering counseling through Wellness Services at 660.562-1348 or through University Police at 660-562-1254. 

Faculty and Staff who may need assistance are asked to contact the University employee assistance program at 1-800-964-3577 or Dacey Hassey, a certified counselor at Family Guidance Center, at dhassey@fgcnow.org or 816-261-3091. 

The University is also advising anyone who may need crisis counseling to contact 988.