Lester, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Two people were critically injured in a three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 9 and K30 in Lyon County.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened at 1:22 p.m. on February 12th.
Troopers say a 2010 Toyota Corolla driven by 36-year-old Andrea Solis of Houston, Texas, was stopped at the northbound stop sign on K30. Investigators say Solis pulled into the intersection and failed to yield to a westbound 2007 Peterbilt semi pulling a propane tanker on Highway 9.
The two vehicles collided in the intersection. After the initial impact, the Corolla then struck a third vehicle — a 2001 Chevrolet Tracker driven by 26-year-old Joel Van Veldhuizen of Larchwood — which was stopped in the eastbound lane of Highway 9 waiting to turn north onto K30 toward Lester.
Solis and her passenger, 67-year-old Marga Valderrama De Barrios of Crofton, Nebraska, were both airlifted to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls in critical condition.
The State Patrol report indicates Solis was not wearing a seatbelt. Valderrama De Barrios was wearing a seatbelt, and the report notes it was life-saving.
The driver of the semi, 46-year-old Joseph Moeller of Bryant, South Dakota, and Van Veldhuizen were not injured.
The semi was operated by Prairie Ag Partners of Bryant, South Dakota. Authorities say no hazardous materials were involved.
Both the Corolla and semi were towed from the scene by Stockton Towing.
The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.
KIWA Staff Photo
