BUCHANAN COUNTY – Hogs were scattered and an Iowa driver was ejected and helicoptered to a hospital after a semi driver blew through a rural Northern Iowa intersection.
On Monday, August 19, 2024 at approximately 6:00 pm, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple 911 reports of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of 120th Street (C57) and Denison Avenue.
According to the investigation, a 2023 Ram Promaster operated by Brett Cummings of Fairbank was traveling northbound on Denison Avenue and came to the intersection with 120th Street. At the same time, a 2005 International semi-truck operated by Dustin DeMoss of Monmouth was traveling westbound on 120th Street. Cummings failed to yield right-of-way and entered the intersection in front of the DeMoss vehicle. DeMoss tried to avoid a collision but struck the Cummings vehicle on the passenger side. Cummings was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle.
Following the collision, both vehicles came to rest in the ditch. Cummings was subsequently transported to University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center in Iowa City by helicopter for serious injuries.
DeMoss’ vehicle was carrying hogs at the time of the collision and mitigation efforts to keep the hogs cool with water and transfer them to another semi were conducted.
This accident remains under investigation.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Fairbank Fire Department, Fairbank Ambulance, Hazleton Fire Department and AirCare Air Ambulance.
(TOP PHOTO of the accident scene via the sheriff’s office.)