The Iowa State Patrol Sunday was called out on the report of a two vehicle accident with injuries in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 at about the 172 mile marker, which is north of Latimer, just before 4pm Sunday. According to the accident report, a 2015 Dodge Caravan driven by 75-year-old Edward Williams of South Saint Paul, Minnesota, was northbound on the interstate and was slowing/stopping due to an upcoming lane closure as all traffic was merging to the right lane, as the left lane was closed and traffic was backing up. Williams swerved to the left slightly and struck a 2015 Ford Escape driven by 20-year-old Madeline Parr of Minneapolis.
Williams was able to drive his Caravan to the right shoulder, while Parr’s Escape became disabled in the right lane facing north. The collision took place after the warning signs and after the reduced speed limit of 55 miles per hour, but before the actual merging/single lane area. Parr and 20-year-old Greta Speckeen of Minneapolis were both transported to Franklin General Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Both vehicles were totaled, with the combined damage listed at 37-thousand dollars.
