A central Iowa highway turned tragic early Sunday morning when two longtime friends and community figures, 61-year-old Carmie Sills and 61-year-old Theresa Leibold, lost their lives in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 64 just east of Mt. Vernon along the Wayne-Jefferson County line. The crash happened around 3:57 a.m., and the sudden loss has left loved ones and the broader Ames community reeling.
Authorities say the vehicle Sills was driving veered off the interstate for reasons that remain under investigation. The car struck a tree head-on with devastating force. Responders pronounced Sills dead at the scene. Leibold, who was riding as a passenger, was rushed to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, she later succumbed to her injuries.
Friends and family describe Sills as a warm presence in the Ames area, always ready with a friendly word and quick to lend a hand. Leibold shared a close bond with Sills, their years of friendship woven into the fabric of the community. Neighbors and coworkers are still trying to process how abruptly their lives were cut short.
Investigation into the exact circumstances of the crash continues. Law enforcement officials have not yet released details about weather conditions, speed, or other factors that might have contributed to the vehicle leaving the road. No charges or conclusions have been announced. For now, questions hang heavy as families mourn.
Funeral plans and memorial details are being worked out by the families. In the meantime, tributes are pouring in from friends and residents who say both women made lasting impressions. Stories of their kindness, laughter and commitment to family fill social media posts and conversations around town.
The suddenness of the tragedy has struck a deep chord in Ames. People who never knew either woman personally say they feel a collective sadness — a reminder of how fragile life can be and how deeply a community feels the loss of its own.
In the quiet hours after the crash, condolences have spread across the area. Friends say they are holding onto cherished memories and leaning on one another for strength as they navigate this painful loss. Sills and Leibold will be remembered as caring companions whose absence will be felt by many.
