JASPER COUNTY, IOWA – Thursday afternoon, a pileup of app. 40 vehicles on Iowa’s Interstate 80 outside Des Moines caused serious injuries and destroyed Iowa State Patrol cruisers.
The accident happened after 1 PM in Jasper county roughly 30 miles east of Des Moines, between Colfax and Newton in the eastbound lanes, the Iowa State Patrol said. Troopers were not injured, but their vehicles were smashed as they were tending to other crashes along the heavily-travelled roadway. At least 40 vehicles were involved in the pileup. Troopers went vehicle to vehicle to check on occupants. A few serious injuries and several minor injuries were reported. Long delays were endured law enforcement assess the impacts and the roadway was cleared.
The problems started early on February 4 into the morning of February 5, first in western Iowa and then east as the bad weather moved along. The Iowa State Patrol reported 195 crashes covered (169 property damage and 25 personal injury, 1 fatal) and 350 motorist assists.
(2-4 3:26 PM) No Troopers were injured at the I-80 eastbound multi-vehicle crash. Authorities report a few serious injuries and several minor injuries to motorists/passengers. Check https://t.co/snjL2h7lb6 for additional closures/blockages on I-80, Hwy. 20 and other roadways. pic.twitter.com/lSJZoqgZ2Q
— Iowa State Patrol (@iowastatepatrol) February 4, 2021
Thank goodness no-one was killed. Slow down people.