2 dead in a semi-truck crash, explosion in Dallas County on Interstate 80
Two people were killed Thursday night in a semi-truck crash and fire on Interstate 80 in Dallas County.
Police and fire officials responded to a crash and explosion at about 11:30 p.m. at the 111-mile marker on eastbound Interstate 80 near De Soto, according to a news release from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office. First responders found the semi-tractor and trailer engulfed in flames. Witnesses told officials they heard and saw an explosion after the crash.
After putting out the fire, responders found two people dead inside the semi-truck, according to the news release. According to investigators, the semi-truck left the roadway and hit the concrete barrier, causing the semi to jackknife. This caused the fuel tank to rupture and catch fire, officials said.
Authorities are withholding the identities of those involved pending family notification.
Responders shut down the westbound and eastbound lanes on I-80. They reopened at about 4:35 a.m. Friday.
Dallas County, De Soto Police Department, De Soto Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Department of Transportation, Adel Fire Department, Earlham Fire Department and the Van Meter Fire Department all responded to the scene.
Iowa State Patrol is leading the investigation.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Deadly semi-truck crash, fire shut down Interstate 80 in Iowa Thursday
