(Des Moines) The Iowa State Patrol and Urbandale Police Department are investigating a motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a Tow Truck Operator.
Just after 10:00 pm on Sunday, an Urbandale Police Officer was assisting with a crash on I-80 westbound at mile marker 130. The patrol vehicle was parked on the outside shoulder with its emergency lights and left directional lights activated. An Iowa Department of Transportation Highway Helper, located behind the patrol vehicle, was also signaling traffic to move left – away from the outside lane. A semi-truck and trailer, driven by Dmytro Prysich, did not move over or slow down and struck the tow truck operator, Joshua Villa, as he was getting out of his tow vehicle. Villa died as a result of the crash.
Dmytro has been booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of Unsafe Approach, Fail to Slow Down Upon Approach to Stationary Vehicle with 4-Way Hazards Activated – Death; Leaving the Scene of a Death Accident; and Vehicular Homicide – OWI.
This investigation is ongoing.
