(Brooklyn, Iowa) A tragic multi-vehicle crash Friday evening in Poweshiek County resulted in one fatality and injuries to at least four people. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the collision occurred on Interstate 80 near mile marker 193, southwest of Brooklyn, at approximately 5:20 p.m. Both eastbound and westbound lanes of the interstate were shut down for over three hours following the accident.
Authorities report that a 2004 Ford Econoline van traveling eastbound on I-80 was rear-ended by a 2019 Volvo truck. The impact sent the van across the median into westbound traffic, colliding with another 2019 Volvo truck.
One person was killed in the crash. The Iowa State Patrol is withholding the individual’s name pending family notification.
Four others sustained injuries, including the van’s driver, 22-year-old Jerson Almendares, and two passengers, 34-year-old Edblin Sanchez-Cruz and 39-year-old Josis Sanchez-Cruz, all from Green Bay, Wisconsin. The driver of the eastbound semi, 43-year-old Jeremy Armstrong of Abingdon, Illinois, was also injured. The identity of the 29-year-old driver of the westbound semi has not been released.
All injured parties were transported by Brooklyn Ambulance to Grinnell Regional Hospital for treatment.
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office and Brooklyn Fire and Rescue. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.