A seventeen year-old Guthrie Center man is dead after a single vehicle crash Wednesday night.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Zachary Meacham was traveling northbound on Oak Avenue in a 1997 Chevrolet K1500 around 7pm Wednesday.  The accident report states the bridge on Oak Avenue over Brushy Creek was removed last year and closure barricades were in place.  For unknown reasons, Meacham’s vehicle went through the barricade and drove over the edge of the missing bridge.

The truck crashed head down into the creek, coming to rest on its top.  The vehicle was submerged in the water, and while a passenger was able to escape and run for help, when officers got the truck turned over, they found Meacham dead inside.

The Iowa State Patrol says Meacham was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.  The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.