Wednesday wreck sends three to hospital

Three vehicles were involved in a Wednesday evening wreck along Highway 117 at Highway F34, north of Colfax, leading to three people going to local hospitals with apparently non-life threatening injuries.

Their conditions and identities weren’t immediately available. Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said the accident happened at about 4:45 p.m., right at sunset.

Halferty said three vehicles involved in the accident were traveling north on 117. The driver of a compact four-door vehicle slowed down to turn left on Highway F34, stopping to allow the southbound traffic pass. The car was struck from behind by a pickup truck, which had been pushed forward when it was struck from behind by another compact car.

All three vehicles suffered extensive damage. The intersection was completely blocked in all four directions for a short time.
Halferty said alcohol and phone use while driving are not suspected causes. He said while the accident is under investigation, the apparent cause was the driver in the rear was simply not attentive enough.

The sheriff said all victims were able to walk and speak at the scene.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was joined by Colfax Ambulance, Prairie City EMS, Mingo Fire, Colfax Fire, the Iowa State Patrol and the Colfax Police in assisting at the wreck.

There had been 351 traffic fatalities so far this year, according to the Iowa State Patrol, as of last week.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com