WINNESHIEK COUNTY — A 71-year-old northern Iowa woman was injured Friday afternoon when a semi-truck slammed into her vehicle as she waited behind a school bus carrying 19 children on Highway 52.
The three-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 3:24 p.m. on October 9, 2026, along U.S. Highway 52 near 2324 Highway 52 in Winneshiek County.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2020 International LT625 semi-truck driven by 72-year-old Allen Bodenstiener of Postville was traveling southbound when it rear-ended a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Deborah Rasmussen, 71, of Calmar.
Rasmussen had stopped behind a Decorah Community School District bus displaying flashing warning lights with its stop arm extended.
School bus carrying 19 children
The school bus, driven by 57-year-old Byron Ehrie of Decorah, was carrying 19 children between the ages of 7 and 14 when the three-vehicle collision occurred.
None of the children or the bus driver was reported injured. The semi-truck driver was also uninjured.
Injured woman taken to hospital
Rasmussen was injured and transported by WinnMed Ambulance to WinnMed for treatment.
The State Patrol noted that Rasmussen was wearing a seat belt and marked the restraint as having saved her life.
Her injuries and condition following the crash were not detailed in the preliminary report.
The International semi-truck and Rasmussen’s Ford Escape were towed. The school bus was not towed.
Emergency crews respond
The Calmar Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, Decorah Fire Department, first responders and WinnMed Ambulance assisted at the scene.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper Smock investigated the collision, with assistance from another trooper.
The preliminary report does not state whether any citations were issued.