GUTHRIE COUNTY, Iowa – A devastating crash on Highway 44 has claimed the life of a 17-year-old Guthrie Center teen, leaving family, friends, and the wider community heartbroken.
Authorities say the accident occurred just before 5 p.m. on Saturday, when a Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Savannah Nicole Mattias was heading westbound. According to investigators, Mattias’s vehicle failed to handle a curve, crossed into the eastbound lane, and collided head-on with a Ford F-250.
Savannah Nicole Mattias, only 17 years old, died at the scene despite immediate response from first responders. The loss of such a young life has shaken Guthrie Center, where Savannah is remembered for her bright spirit, warm personality, and the future that was tragically cut short.
Behind the wheel of the Ford F-250 was 37-year-old Noelle Elizabeth Bubeck, who suffered injuries in the collision. Two children, ages 10 and 11, were also passengers in the Ford. Both sustained injuries, and one child was airlifted for advanced medical treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly updated.
The crash left the roadway closed for several hours as emergency personnel, including the Iowa State Patrol and local responders, worked to care for the injured and reconstruct the events that led to the fatal collision. The investigation into the exact cause remains ongoing.
For the Guthrie Center community, the heartbreak is profound. Friends, classmates, and teachers have begun sharing tributes to Savannah, describing her as a kind and caring young woman who had a bright future ahead. Vigils and memorials are expected in the coming days as the town rallies around her grieving family.
“This is a tragedy that words cannot fully capture,” one local resident shared. “She was just beginning her life, and to lose her this way is unbearable.”
Authorities extend their condolences to the Mattias family as well as prayers for the recovery of Noelle Bubeck and the two children injured in the crash.
Savannah’s sudden passing is a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly a community can be left mourning the loss of one of its youngest members.