An ISU student has died from injuries he suffered in a car accident on his way to school, Story County officials said.

Christopher Mark Muhs, a freshman in music, died instantly after being struck by a pickup truck three miles south of Ames, said Capt. Gary Foster, Story County Sheriff’s Office.

Foster said Muhs, 19, Perry, was eastbound on 270th Street, on his way from Perry to Ames, when he apparently failed to stop at a stop sign and his Chevrolet Cavalier was hit broadside by a 2000 Dodge Ram driven by Rodney Kaltenheuser, 53, Kelley.

The Story County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the accident.

“We need to be able to pinpoint exactly what happened,” Foster said. “We have a pretty good idea from the preliminary investigation, we believe that Muhs ran the stop sign.”

The accident was reported to the Story County Sheriff’s Office at 1:04 p.m. Monday.

Foster said when officers came upon the scene of the accident, they found Muhs’ car on its top in a cornfield at the southeast corner of the intersection. He added that Muhs was wearing his seat belt.

Kaltenheuser’s truck was in the ditch on the east side of the road, south of the intersection.

Kaltenheuser was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines by ambulance. He is in fair condition.

His wife, Barbara Kaltenheuser, 52, Kelley, was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, by helicopter and is in fair condition.

Muhs graduated from Perry High School last year.

“He was very well liked by all the student body here,” said Dan Marburger, Perry High School principal.

Marburger said Muhs won All-State awards for vocal and saxophone competitions.

“He was very talented in music,” he said.

Marburger lives only a few houses away from the Muhs family. He said he has spoken with the family since the accident.

“This is a devastating loss to our community and our school district as well. He was a great young man,” he said.

Tamara Valline, Perry High School counselor, said the school is taking extra steps to counsel its students.

“We have counselors from the American Red Cross special response team on hand, as well as three counselors available at the school,” she said.

In his first week at Iowa State, Muhs had already become very active, said Julion Sumpter, Birch Hall residence assistant, where Muhs lived.

“He was a very happy and energetic person,” said Sumpter, senior in mathematics. “He was always going out and finding activities.”

Sumpter said Muhs was adjusting well to college life.

Sumpter said the Department of Public Safety contacted him around 8 p.m. Monday.

“They told me that as an R.A., I should make sure I am there for his roommate, support him and comfort him,” he said. “I have checked on him several times since and he seems to be doing fine.”

Muhs lived with his high school friend Marc Eaton, freshman in liberal arts and sciences.

Eaton was not able to be reached.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Lutheran Church of Hope, 9820 Ashworth Rd., in Des Moines.

Visitation will be held at Murdock Funeral Home, 1420 Warford St., in Perry, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family being present from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.