Grinnell College student struck, killed while walking on Interstate 80 near Altoona

A Grinnell College student and member of the school’s football team was struck and killed Monday night while walking on Interstate Highway 80 near Altoona.

At about 10:30 p.m. Monday, Davis Cooper, of Pasadena, California, entered the westbound lanes of I-80 near mile marker 144 on foot, according to crash report by the Iowa State Patrol. Cooper, 18, was struck by a tractor-trailer traveling west on I-80 and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cooper parked at a nearby convenience store before he walked onto the road, KCCI reported.

In a letter sent to students and staff members Tuesday morning, Grinnell College President Anne Harris said counseling support services would be made available on campus.

"Our profound sympathy is with his parents, Beverly and Darin Cooper and his younger brother, Elliott, his teammates and friends," Harris said in the letter. "Grief can be experienced in many different ways. For some, engaging in classes and work will provide comfort and meaning; for others, it will be impossible to do so. Please take the time and space you need for yourself and with each other."

Cooper graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. Through seven games this season Cooper, a freshman linebacker, recorded 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Through Oct. 31, 283 people have died in traffic crashes in Iowa, a decrease of three people from the same date last year, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. This year 15 pedestrians have died in traffic crashes. There were 32 pedestrians killed in Iowa in 2021, according to IDOT.

Philip Joens covers public safety and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Grinnell College student killed while walking on Interstate 80