Two Killed On I-380; Total Of Five In Iowa During Snowstorm
[UPDATE 5:30 p.m.] A total of five people have been killed in accidents on Iowa roadways during today's snowstorm. The first fatalities came early this morning in Winneshiek County. WHO reports 17-year-old Avery Arneson and 13-year-old passenger Aden Arneson were both killed in the accident on County Road W40.
Winneshiek County authorities say Arneson lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line, sliding sideways into a vehicle driven by 15-year-old Gage Dahlberg. Dahlberg, Jack Arneson (15), Alexander Arneson (14), and James Arneson (14) were all injured in the accident.
A 70-plus vehicle pileup on I-35 (photo at bottom) claimed one life, according to KCCI. Five other people were transported to hospitals in critical condition after the accident that closed that area of Interstate 35 for an extended period of time while authorities cleared the interstate.
[UPDATE 3:10 p.m.] Cedar Rapids Police report an accident on northbound I-380 near Highway 30 late this morning resulted in the deaths of two people.
A 2007 Mercury Montego hit a pillar support of the bridge overpass. Two of the three adult men in the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The third man had serious injuries and was taken to Unity Point-St. Luke's Hospital. His injuries are described as serious.
The accident was first reported to Cedar Rapids Police at 11:22 this morning. The names of the people involved in the accident have not been released.
[UPDATE 2:40 p.m.] One lane of northbound I-380 has reopened at Wright Brothers Blvd.
[ORIGINAL STORY] The winter that wasn't has turned on Iowa today and it's leaving a mess of snow and accidents behind. Let's begin south of Cedar Rapids, where an accident on northbound I380 has closed the interstate at Wright Brothers Blvd. (airport exit).
This is a current look at the IA511 map of the area. The red shows stopped traffic, while the orange indicates slow-moving traffic. As you can see, I-380 is not where you want to be. However, it could be worse. It is in western Iowa.
Below is a traffic camera still shot of a massive accident, involving more than 70 vehicles, on I-35, just east of Ames. You can see video from the scene HERE.