Rural Fairbank Accident Kills Waterloo Resident

An accident just east of Fairbank has taken the life of a Waterloo resident.

It happened just before 12:30pm Friday, at the intersection of Fairbank-Amish Boulevard and Buchanan County Road C-57.

An SUV driven by 53 year old Suljo Melkic was eastbound on C-57, and had stopped at the intersection, but pulled out into the path of a northbound semi driven by 35 year old Brian Gissel of Oelwein.

The two vehicles collided; Melkic was pronounced dead from his injuries. 4 occupants in his vehicle, all from Waterloo, were treated for unspecified injuries. The other driver was also injured.

The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol; they were assisted by the Buchanan County Sheriff, D.O.T., and fire-rescue units from Jesup, Hazleton, and Fairbank.

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