(Afton) The driver of a semi-hauling grain suffered injuries when the rig went out of control and caught fire in a ditch in Union County.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened on Thursday at 4:40 p.m. on Redwood Avenue and 220th Street. Authorities say 55-year-old Mark Becker of Tingley suffered from severe injuries and was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.
According to the report, Becker, traveling on Redwood Avenue, lost control of the semi-trailer loaded with corn, entered the ditch, and rolled, ejecting Becker. It is unclear whether a passerby pulled Becker away from the fire.
Authorities ticketed Mark Becker for failure to maintain control and operate a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. The Sheriff’s Office issued David Cheers, the owner of the semi, a ticket for permitting an unauthorized person to drive.
