On Thursday afternoon, February 3, traffic was moving slowly on Interstate 80 as it stretches across Iowa and Illinois. A recent blizzard on Tuesday and Wednesday had closed the interstate for more than a day. Motorists on the recently reopened highway were driving on frozen roads with a massive amount of snow and sub zero wind chills when the truck accident happened.

At about 12:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon 55 year old truck driver David Layton of Raleigh, Mississippi, was driving a semi flatbed trailer west on I-80, moving through Iowa. Behind the flatbed trailer truck on the interstate was a second truck driver, 33 year old Thomas Leeds Jr. of Melbourne, Florida, driving a semi box tractor trailer. The truck accident happened when traffic began to slow up ahead on the highway.

The Mississippi truck driver began to slow down with traffic but the semi driver behind him did not have the time or space to slow down or maneuver to avoid a collision. The box tractor trailer slammed into the back section of the flatbed truck. The force of the rear-end truck accident lifted the flatbed trailer up into the air and pushed it into the cab section, trapping the man from Mississippi. The box tractor trailer appeared to become stuck on the flatbed and both 18 wheelers came to a rest at the side of westbound I-80.

The truck accident brought traffic to an immediate standstill in the area as the two semis were partially blocking the interstate traffic lanes.

Scott County and local emergency personnel rushed to the site of the two vehicle crash. Firefighters from the Walcott and Davenport Departments had to use tools to cut through the cab section and pull away the metal pieces entrapping Mr. Layton, the truck driver from Mississippi. The rescue teams worked for about 30 minutes to extricate the man from the crumpled wreckage of his truck. Once the driver was free, paramedics at the truck accident site worked to stabilize the man. He was then transported by a MedForce medical helicopter to University Hospitals in Iowa City, about 42 miles from the crash site.

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Police did not specify the injuries that Mr. Layton suffered in the truck accident but did confirm that they were serious and potentially life threatening.
The driver of the semi that set off the rear-end collision, Mr. Leeds, was not hurt in the truck accident however one official stated that the man appeared very distressed after the crash.

Iowa State police shut down a section of westbound I-80 so the emergency teams could work. Motorists were diverted around the truck accident scene for over an hour, most vehicles being rerouted to Interstate 280. The eastbound lanes of I-80 remained open.

A highway crew from the Iowa Department of Transportation was brought in to clear the wreckage and debris from the crash. The flatbed truck was damaged in the collision and was towed off the highway, as was the cab section that was cut apart to free Mr. Layton. The lanes were finally clear about 2 hours after the truck accident and police reopened the westbound lanes.

Iowa State Patrol is investigating the truck accident and at this time no charges or citations have been brought.

On Friday morning an unidentified semi truck driver was traveling through the eastern part of Iowa, driving south on I-61. Authorities have not released the destination and cargo the truck was carrying at the time of the truck accident. The name of the trucking company that owns the semi is also not known.

The truck driver had reached Clinton County and was still in the southbound lanes of I-61 when the truck accident occurred. According to police, as the semi driver was approaching the exit to westbound Highway 30 and the city of DeWitt, he came up behind another vehicle in the right lane of traffic. The semi driver decided to pass the other vehicle and pulled into the left inner lane, directly behind a pick-up truck. At that moment the pick-up suddenly lost power and stalled for unknown reasons. The tractor trailer was unable to slow down or maneuver back into the right lane and rammed full force into the back of the pick-up truck.

The impact of the truck accident, which occurred at around 55 MPH, caused the pick-up to go up on the cab section of the 18 wheeler and through the semi’s glass windshield. The tractor trailer went several hundred feet with the pick-up lodged in its cab before the semi driver was finally able to bring the truck to a halt, blocking part of the southbound lanes of the interstate.

Clinton County and local emergency personnel rushed to the scene of the crash. Both the semi driver and the driver of the pick-up, who was not identified, were injured in the rear-end truck accident. They were treated and stabilized at the site and then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The hospital has not released any information on the victims’ injuries and current conditions.

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The rear-end truck accident left debris and wreckage strewn across southbound I-61 and onto the off ramp to Highway 30. The cab section of the tractor trailer was completely crushed on the right passenger side and it is believed it is destroyed. It appears the trailer section of the 18 wheeler was not heavily damaged in the collision. The pick-up truck was also wrecked and reportedly was towed from the crash site.

Police shut down the southbound lanes of I-61 and the ramp to Highway 30 while rescue teams aided the victims and highway crews cleared the traffic lanes. Motorists were diverted off the southbound lanes of I-61 and around the truck accident scene for more than an hour Friday morning.

Officials conducted a reconstruction of the rear-end collision on Friday but have not yet released their findings. The semi driver may face charges in the truck accident if authorities determine he was speeding or driving unsafely when he slammed into the pick-up. Police have not confirmed if the semi driver was compelled to take a toxicology screening, often required after a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident.

The investigation of the truck accident is expected to last several weeks.

Early Monday morning 38 year old Bradley Lutgen of St. Paul, Minnesota was driving a semi trailer truck through the city of Des Moines, Iowa. The driver was headed south on Southeast 14th Street, also known as U.S. Highway 69. At the same time 33 year old Nolberto Flores-Zuniga of Des Moines was in a silver passenger car also driving south on SE 14th Street/US 69, in the same area as the semi trailer truck.

The truck accident occurred just before 6:30 a.m. Monday as the two vehicles traveled through the 200 block of SE 14th Street/US 69.  At some point the semi trailer collided with the passenger car. It is not known at this time which driver caused the collision.

The impact of the truck accident sent the silver car careening across the center dividing line into the northbound traffic lanes. The car ended up directly in the path of a pick-up truck driven by 56 year old Richard Essick of Indianola, IA. Mr. Essick was unable to swerve to avoid a collision and slammed into the driver’s door on the silver passenger car. The force of the crash caused considerable damage to the passenger car and trapped the driver inside.

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Des Moines police and emergency personnel rushed to the scene of the three vehicle collision. They used tools to extricate the driver of the silver car, cutting off the roof of the vehicle to reach the man. Once he was free they attempted to give aid however Mr. Flores-Zuniga suffered fatal injuries in the truck accident and died at the scene.

The pick-up truck was also damaged in the multi vehicle accident and the driver, Mr. Essick, received moderate injuries. He was treated and stabilized at the scene and then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital as a precaution. According to police his injuries are non-life threatening. Mr. Lutgen, the driver of the semi, was not injured in the truck accident.

Police shut down the northbound lanes on SE 14th Street around the crash site while highway crews cleared up the wreckage and debris of the truck accident. The busy street was closed for several hours causing major delays during the morning commuter rush period. The northbound traffic lanes were reopened at about 11 a.m. Monday morning.

Authorities conducted a reconstruction of the truck accident but have not released their complete findings at this time. It is not known what set off the accident or if speed or other conditions played a part in the deadly collision. A police spokesperson stated that they do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the incident. Police have not indicated whether the semi trailer will be inspected by the Iowa State Commercial Vehicle Unit for mechanical problems that may have led to the crash.

Police did charge the truck driver on Monday with Improper Lane Usage. Additional charges may be brought against Mr. Lutgen and possibly the other driver once authorities complete their investigation of the truck accident. The full investigation is expected to last two to three weeks.

Truck Accidents 360 is a truck accident attorney directory that also reports on up to date truck accidents across the United States. Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, it is important to consult with an expert truck accident lawyer who knows the trucking laws for each state. Find information about Des Moines Iowa truck accidents.

At the time of the rollover truck accident, Mr. Short was on his way to Red Star Yeast in Cedar Rapids after picking up his cargo in Muscatine, IA. The tanker truck is owned by K.A. Steel Chemicals a chemical manufacturer and distributing company based in Lemont, Illinois.

At around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning 39 year old Joe Short of Colona, Illinois was driving a semi tanker truck north on Interstate 380 through Linn County, IA. The tank on the semi truck was loaded with about 50,000 pounds of sodium hydroxide, a liquid chemical that is also known as lye or caustic soda. Sodium hydroxide is potentially harmful and can irritate or damage a person’s eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.

At the time of the rollover truck accident, Mr. Short was on his way to Red Star Yeast in Cedar Rapids after picking up his cargo in Muscatine, IA. The tanker truck is owned by K.A. Steel Chemicals a chemical manufacturer and distributing company based in Lemont, Illinois.

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At about 5:40 a.m. Wednesday the truck driver reached the juncture of Wright Brothers Boulevard SW and Interstate 380. He exited the interstate and was attempting to turn left onto Wrights Brothers Blvd when the truck accident occurred.

As the tanker was making the turn the movement of the 18 wheeler caused the liquid chemical in the tanker to shift, throwing the semi truck off balance. The truck driver was unable to keep the tanker truck upright and it flipped over on its side on the east shoulder of the I-380 and Wright Brothers Blvd. SW interchange.

The impact of the truck accident apparently damaged the valve and a ventilation line on the tanker and sodium hydroxide began to slowly spill out of the truck.

No other persons or vehicles were involved in the rollover truck accident.

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Iowa State Police and Cedar Rapids emergency personnel responded to the truck accident and gave medical assistance to the truck driver. Mr. Short had unspecified pains and was stabilized and transported to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids with non life threatening injuries.

Due to the potential danger of the leaking chemical authorities shut down a section of Wright Brothers Blvd. around the overturned tanker as well as the northbound off ramp to I-380 and the nearby overpasses at Kirkwood Blvd. SW and Sixth Street.

Haz-mat workers were at the scene and were the only people allowed within 150 feet of the disabled tanker truck. A hole was cut into the flipped tanker truck and another tanker truck was brought to the truck accident site. According to authorities the haz-mat team would pump the sodium hydroxide into the second tanker and once empty the wrecked truck could be removed from the scene.

The affected areas around the truck accident scene remained closed throughout the morning commute and into the afternoon. Traffic was still being diverted at around 2:00 p.m. and authorities hoped to have the lanes open in time for the evening rush hour.

Officials investigating the truck accident determined that the truck driver, Mr. Short, was at fault for the rollover. He was charged with Failure to Retain Control.

Rescue teams from several local departments rushed to the scene of the truck accident, including Ogden Fire and Rescue and the Grand Junction Fire Department, and worked to give aid at the site.

At around 11:30 a.m. Thursday morning 49 year old Dennis Good of Ogden, IA was driving a 2001 Western Star semi trailer truck east on US 30. The 18 wheeler truck was owned by G&M Truck Line, based in Ogden, and was hauling a load of livestock.

At the same time a 2007 GMC ambulance from Carroll County Medical Services was also traveling east on US 30, transporting critically ill Norbert Hoffman, 75, of Carroll from St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll to the Mercy Center in Des Moines. The ambulance was driven by 46 year old paramedic specialist Bob Genzen of Manning, IA, and the patient was being treated by paramedic specialist Wendy Baker, 45, and Sheryl Stoolman, 53, a long-time emergency room nurse at St. Anthony’s.

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The truck driver, Mr. Good, had pulled into the left lane of US 30 and was preparing to make a left hand turn onto B Avenue when he heard the siren and saw the flashing lights of the ambulance approaching from the behind him. The truck driver began to move back over into the right lane to yield the right of way to the emergency vehicle.

The ambulance driver saw the semi trailer truck in the left lane and attempted to move to the right, apparently not realizing that the truck driver was also moving his 18 wheeler into the right lane.

The ambulance was traveling at a high rate of speed, believed to be over 55 MPH, and was unable to slow or maneuver to avoid colliding with the trailer truck. The ambulance slammed into the rear trailer of the truck, severely damaging the front section and destroying the emergency vehicle. The flatbed truck and ambulance finally came to a stop in the eastbound lanes of US 30.

Rescue teams from several local departments rushed to the scene of the truck accident, including Ogden Fire and Rescue and the Grand Junction Fire Department, and worked to give aid at the site.

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The patient in the ambulance, Mr. Hoffman, and the emergency nurse, Ms. Stoolman, suffered fatal injuries in the multi vehicle collision and both died at the scene. The other paramedic, Ms. Baker, was also seriously injured and was attempting to administer medical aid to the patient and the ER nurse. Other EMTs had to restrain her so that they could treat her injuries which may have included a fractured leg. She was transported by ambulance to Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson and is expected to recover.

The impact of the truck accident trapped the ambulance driver, Mr. Gerzen, and firefighters had to use tools to extricate from the vehicle. Once free he was medically airlifted to Mercy Center in Des Moines.

The truck driver, Mr. Good, was also treated and taken to Greene County Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department and Ogden Police officers were at the scene of the truck accident and closed down a section of US 30 while rescuers worked and crews cleared the wreckage from the roadway. The highway would remain closed for almost four hours.

Iowa State Police authorities were also assisting in the truck accident reconstruction and authorities with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicle Enforcement conducted an inspection on the two vehicles. No mechanical problems were found on either vehicle.

At this time authorities believe that there were no contributing factors, such as speed or intoxicating substances, and the collision was a tragic incident.

No charges have been brought and the truck accident remains under investigation.

Pickup truck collides with semi truck in Merril IA; Pickup driver killed

Tuesday morning at around 8:00 a.m., Juan Chagolla, 46 years old, and Rosalinda, 41 years old, of Le Mars, IA were southbound on U.S. 75 in their 2003 Chevrolet pick up truck. The road surfaces were icy due to winter weather conditions, and it appears that Mr. Chagolla lost traction and skidded on the slippery highway. The Chagolla pick up truck crossed over the highway median and into the northbound lanes of U.S. 75, directly in the path of an oncoming 2005 International semi truck which was pulling a gas tanker.

The truck driver, 46 year old Todd Saunders of Sioux City, IA, attempted to avoid an accident but there was not enough time and he slammed head on into the Chagolla’s pick up truck. The head-on collision pushed the smaller pick up truck into a nearby ditch.

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An officer with the Plymouth County Conservation Department was a witness to the fatal truck accident as he was already at the scene, investigating another vehicle that ended up in the ditch. Officers from the Le Mars Police Department and officials with the Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement office also reported to the truck accident scene.

In addition, emergency personnel from Merrill Ambulance and Le Mars Ambulance responded to the scene of the truck accident, where they found that Mr. Chagolla had suffered fatal injuries in the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Mrs. Chagolla was treated and stabilized at the accident scene and then transported to Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars, IA. After initial examination and treatment she was transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA. A Mercy Medical Center spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday that Mrs. Chagolla was still hospitalized and her condition was listed as serious.

The truck driver, Mr. Saunders, received minor injuries in the truck collision. Emergency workers treated him at the scene and then he was released.

The tractor trailer was apparently able to remain upright after colliding with the pick up truck, and there were no reports that it was disabled. There were also no reports that the 18 wheeler spilled any fuel or that the gas tanker lost any of its contents.

The officers believe that the icy road conditions led to the truck accident, and the investigation remains open. No charges or citations have been issued at this time.

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Road conditions contribute to more than half of all deaths in vehicular crashes nationally – more than drunken driving, speeding or nonuse of seatbelts – according to a study commissioned by an industry group that advocates for boosting spending on road construction. More than half of U.S. highway fatalities are related to deficient roadway conditions – a substantially more lethal factor than drunk driving, speeding or non-use of safety belts – according to a landmark study released on July 1, 2009. Ten roadway-related crashes occur every minute (5.3 million a year) and also contribute to 38 percent of non-fatal injuries the report found. Read more about “Defective Hazardous or Unsafe Roads.”

Gordon & Elias, Nationwide truck accident attorneys, are uniquely positioned to represent truck accident victims throughout the United States. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Iowa truck injury lawyer, please contact us.

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Photo credit: Iowa City Press-Citizen / Dan Williamson

The construction workers were injured by the debris from the accident and were transported to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics by ambulance while the driver of the semi truck was airlifted to the hospital.

The location of the semi truck accident was in the westbound lanes of the Interstate 80 bridge over Black Hawk Avenue at Exit 230

The identities of the injured workers were reported by the Iowa City Press-Citizen as Jack Herberger, 25 years old and Dean Herberger, 55 years old both from Indianola,  Lawrence Isaac Schropp, 53 years old from Parnell and Manuel de Jesus Dominguez, 32 years old from Des Moines.

The semi truck driver was traveling westbound on Interstate 80 and authorities believe that driver was unaware that the lane was becoming more narrow at the time he struck the concrete divider. Authorities believe after Green hit the concrete barrier that the semi truck jumped part of the divider and barrier then somehow collided with the cement truck that was in the construction zone.

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Contact a Cedar Rapids truck accident attorney if you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Find an Iowa truck accident lawyer at TruckAccidents360.com today who specializes in representing victims involved in truck injury accidents.

Iowa High Speed Chase - Fatal Semi Truck Crash

The fatal accident happened at the end of a high speed chase on Interstate 35 with the Iowa State Patrol that spanned across three counties. The high speed chase began in Franklin County where the Iowa State Patrol attempted to make a traffic stop after clocking a 1998 Ford Focus going southbound at 108 mph on I-35.

Troopers said that the suspect ignored lights and sirens and began to drive erratically. The chase continued south when a sheriff’s deputy in Hamilton County laid out stop sticks at the 126 mile marker.

The stop sticks disabled one of the car’s front tires but Korkowski turned off his  headlights and continued southbound on I-35 into Story County. Korkowski’s car crossed the median near the 116 mile marker heading into oncoming traffic on the northbound lanes of the interstate. After he missed several vehicles he crashed head on with a semi truck. Korkowski was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The semi truck driver was not injured. The truck accident is still under investigation.

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KCRG reporter, Mark Geary described the accident: “A closer look at the semi’s cab you can see exactly how bad the damage is here. It ended up falling off of the top of the Interstate and smashing into the ground and the damage was so bad firefighters couldn’t tell if the victim inside was male or female. They’re also not sure if there may even possibly be another victim inside because all that’s left is a mangled mess of twisted metal.”

Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesman, Greg Buelow stated, “The cab is really obliterated at this point … as it hit the ground it was on fire. Fire crews used both water and some foam to extinguish the blaze.” He also said at that time of the truck accident that at least one body was recovered from the semi truck cab and that no further information was known about the victim at that time.

At the time of the accident, there was no word on the driver’s name or who owned the truck, but authorities did know that the driver was hauling a lot of appliances in his truck.

Cedar Rapids Police Department now say that the identity of the driver is Nusret Smajic, 31, of St. Louis who was driving a truck for Dino’s Trucking out of St. Louis. The driver’s identity was confirmed by the trucking company from their records and from the driver’s physical stature and from his wife’s identification his wedding band.

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