March 28, 2024

One injured in car collision with tractor

One person was airlifted from the scene of a crash Monday on Highway T-12 North on the outskirts of Newton.

A 26-year-old Newton woman, Katie Hernandez, struck the back of a tractor with a Chevy Malibu at 1:20 p.m., according to the Iowa State Patrol. The tractor was driven by Jeremy Beukema, 35, also of Newton.

Both vehicles were southbound on the highway when Hernandez failed to stop at an assured distance and struck the rear of the tractor that had a hauler attached. Hernandez’s vehicle later became completely engulfed in flames.

Hernandez was airlifted by a medical helicopter to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A call to check her condition was not returned at press time. Hernandez was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Members of the Newton Fire Department and Newton Police Department responded to the scene along with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.