Altoona, IA – A 19-year-old man, Zachary Scott Scothorn, of Altoona, died early Friday morning in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 80, which also left three others injured. The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. near mile marker 140, close to Altoona.
Details of the Crash
According to the Iowa State Patrol, Scothorn was driving a Toyota Tacoma westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 when he collided head-on with a Dodge 3500. The Dodge, in turn, was hit by a Mercedes Sprinter Van. Scothorn, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Injuries and Victims
The driver of the Dodge, a 39-year-old man from Decatur, Georgia, and his 31-year-old passenger from Chicago, Illinois, were injured and transported to a Des Moines hospital. Also injured was the 66-year-old driver of the Mercedes Sprinter Van, from Ormond Beach, Florida, who was also taken to the hospital.
As per KCCI, all three of the injured individuals were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to authorities.
Investigation and Road Closure
A portion of I-80 was closed for several hours while emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage and tend to the victims. The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Dangers of Wrong-Way Driving
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of wrong-way driving, which can often result in head-on collisions. These types of accidents are especially deadly when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of seatbelt use and caution when driving at night or during low-visibility conditions.
What are your thoughts on preventing wrong-way driving accidents? Share your views below in the comment section with us.
