One injured in car vs semi accident

Hedrick, Iowa- One person was injured Friday afternoon, April 27, after a car vs semi accident that left part of Highway 149, west of Hedrick, shut down for a brief time. The accident occurred around 4:10 p.m. According to a state patrol accident report, a 2014 semi, driven by 67-year-old David Parsons, of Wapello, was eastbound on Highway 149 at the same time as a 2008 Mazda MZ3, driven by 27-year-old Kyle Letts, of Washington, when Letts attempted to turn north onto highway 21.

            The report states that Parsons was attempting to pass a slower moving vehicle at the same time when he struck Letts on the front driver side of the vehicle. Letts and Parsons both ended up in the westbound shoulder of the highway. Parsons was not injured in the accident, however Letts sustained injuries, and was trapped in his vehicle. Letts was transported from the scene of the accident to Ottumwa Regional Health Center. His injury status was unknown at the time. The report states that his life may have been saved by the use of his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

            The accident remains under investigation. The report did not state if citations would be issued as a result of the accident. Assisting the Iowa State Patrol at the scene of the accident was the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department, Hedrick Fire Department, Sigourney Fire Department, and Keokuk County Health Center Ambulance.