Press Release
Date: August 18, 2023
Adel, IA
On August 17, 2023 at approximately 11:30 PM, Dallas County Dispatch began to recieve several calls about an accident at the 111 mile marker on Interstate 80 eastbound. Dallas County Deputies, De Soto Police Department, and the De Soto Fire Department were all dispatched.
Upon arrival first responders found a fully engulfed semi tractor and trailer. Witnesses at the scene stated that after the crash they heard and saw an explosion.
The Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DOT, Adel Fire Department, Earlham Fire Department, and the Van Meter Fire Department also responded to the scene. Both westbound and eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 were closed for a period of time and a detour was in place. Both sides of Interstate 80 were completely opened at 4:35 AM.
After the fire was extinquished, two people were located inside the semi, deceased. Their identities are being withheld at this time pending identification and notification.
The Iowa State Patrol will be handling the technical accident investigation. Preliminary investigation at the scene indicates that the semi left the roadway and hit the concrete barrier, causing the semi to jacknife, which then caused the fuel tank to rupture and catch fire.
This investigation is ongoing.
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