SIOUX CITY – A speeding Texas driver rear-ended a another vehicle as both entered a construction zone in Woodbury county, causing his death and the injury of several others.
According to a report from the Iowa State Patrol, two vehicles were traveling south on Interstate 29 near Sioux City on November 13 just before midnight as they entered a construction zone. A 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by 40-year-old Salvador Mendoza of Brownsville, Texas was traveling at a high rate of speed when he failed to slow for a 2015 Nissan Altima in front of him, driven by 31-year-old Courtney Austin of Ottawa, Kansas.
A rear-end collision ensued, and both vehicles continued south off the roadway into the west ditch. Mendoza’s Cherokee rolled, and he was ejected. He was declared deceased at the scene. Three occupants of the Altima, Courtney Austin and two children, 8-year-old Contessa Van Gassbeek and 2-year-old Judson Austin, were all removed from their vehicle and taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
