UPDATE: The Iowa State Patrol has identified the driver killed in Wednesday evening’s crash: http://kniakrls.com/2018/12/driver-killed-in-wrong-way-crash-on-163-identified/
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One driver has been killed in a collision between a car and a semi on Highway 163 in Pella, and the road will be closed for some time while the scene is cleared of debris and cattle.
It happened around 7:20 p.m. Wednesday night; a driver apparently drove onto the wrong ramp at Exit 40, and collided with a semi truck hauling cattle on the main stretch of road at full speed in the westbound lanes. Both vehicles have been totalled as a result of the crash; the driver of the semi was not injured.
The impact scattered debris across the road, and killed some of the 75 head of cattle on board the semi; other cattle broke free, and have been spotted wandering in the area between Mile Markers 38 and 42.
As a result, Route 163 is closed between MM 40 and MM 44; drivers going westbound are being diverted to Business 163 through Pella. The detour follows G28 north of Lake Red Rock to Highway 14 north of Knoxville. Drivers are being asked to watch for roadblocks and avoid the scene.
First responders from several agencies along with local farmers are searching the area for the stray cattle, since they pose a potential hazard to traffic.
The Iowa State Patrol are handling the investigation, and agencies including the Pella Police Department, Pella Fire and Pella Ambulance are assisting, as are sheriff’s deputies from Marion County and Mahaska County. Marion County Emergency Management is also at the scene, coordinating the recovery effort.
