The Newton Fire Department responded to a multi-vehicle accident on I-80 on 2/4/21 at 11:49 AM. The accident occurred approximately one mile west of the 164 Exit for Newton in the eastbound lanes due to winter weather conditions. Multiple vehicles were in the ditch and many others were blocking the travel portion of the roadway.
Initial reports were of many seriously injured parties and mutual aid ambulances were called in from Baxter, Colfax, Kellogg, and Monroe. One patient was trapped in their vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue crews. The patient was transported to a Des Moines area hospital and no condition report is available at the time of this release. Several minor injuries were reported with no others being transported to the hospital. A bus from the Newton Community School District was used to move uninjured parties off the highway to a safe location. Iowa State Patrol reported 40 vehicles were involved in the crash.
Rescue crews were on scene until 1:30 PM and the road remained closed throughout the remainder of the day.
Other agencies that assisted on the accident include Newton Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and the Newton Community School District.
