The Iowa State Patrol and Madison County Sheriff’s Department report that a fatal accident occurred early this morning in rural southern Madison County. An investigation shows that a Jeep Cherokee containing four people from the Casey area lost control on a gravel road, and rolled off a curve at about 4:20 a.m. The driver, 24 year old Austin Ayers, of Casey was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Three other individuals were injured in the crash; 23 year old Cody Zimmerline, 15 year old Drew Steckelberg and 22 year old Shy Terry, all of the Casey area. The State Patrol’s report indicates that Ayers, Zimmerline and Terry were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident. Terry was transported by Life Flight to Des Moines Methodist Hospital. Both Zimmerline and Steckelberg were transported by Madison County Ambulance to Madison County Hospital. The condition of the three individuals is unknown. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. We’ll have more information for you as it becomes official