CLAYTON COUNTY — A 77-year-old driver, a 72-year-old woman and two Waverly residents were injured Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, when a Subaru, a pickup truck and a semitrailer collided at a northeast Iowa highway intersection, leaving wrecked vehicles blocking the roadway and sending one victim to a hospital by helicopter.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:16 a.m. at Highway 18 and Highway 52 in Clayton County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a driver attempting to make a left turn failed to yield to an oncoming pickup, triggering a chain-reaction collision that also struck a stopped semi.
Left turn leads to three-vehicle collision
Investigators said a 2020 Subaru Outback driven by David Burggren, 77, of Dubuque, was stopped on Highway 52 at Highway 18.
A 2022 Peterbilt semitrailer operated by Kyle Merkes, 31, of Worthington, Iowa, was stopped in the westbound turn lane of Highway 18.
Meanwhile, a 2019 Ram 1500 pickup driven by Dana Dorman, 65, of Waverly, was traveling east on Highway 18.
According to the patrol’s preliminary findings, Burggren attempted a left turn but failed to yield the right of way to Dorman’s approaching pickup.
The Ram struck the Subaru broadside, and both vehicles then collided with the stopped Peterbilt semi. All three vehicles came to rest blocking the intersection.
The semi was operated for Simons Trucking of Farley, Iowa. Authorities reported that no hazardous materials were involved.
Four injured, one flown to medical center
Burggren was injured and transported by MarMac Ambulance to Crossing Rivers Health.
Jean Mormann, 72, of Asbury, Iowa, was also injured. She was transported by Dubuque Airflight to Gundersen Medical Center.
Dana Dorman, 65, of Waverly, and Jolynn Dorman, 54, also of Waverly, were both transported by Monona Ambulance to the hospital in Elkader.
All four injured occupants were wearing seat belts, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The report specifically indicated that seat belts saved the lives of Mormann and both Dana and Jolynn Dorman.
The preliminary report did not disclose the extent of the victims’ injuries or their updated medical conditions. No injury was listed for the semitrailer driver.
Wreckage blocks highway intersection
The Subaru and Ram were removed by Bud’s Towing, while Milo’s handled towing of the Peterbilt.
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Tri-State Ambulance, Farmersburg first responders, Monona Ambulance and other emergency personnel.
Trooper O’Rear of Iowa State Patrol District 22 is investigating the crash.
The collision came amid a series of serious highway accidents across northeastern Iowa. In another October 10 crash, NorthIowaToday.com reported that two elderly Forest City residents were injured in a motorcycle accident in Allamakee County, with one airlifted.
NIT also reported on a separate crash in which a semitrailer struck a vehicle stopped behind a school bus carrying 19 children in Winneshiek County.
The Clayton County crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. The preliminary report did not indicate whether citations had been issued.