KILJ has received updated information regarding a serious overnight traffic accident on U.S. Highway 34 westbound near Middletown which shut down the westbound lanes of traffic for nearly 4 hours early Monday morning and re-routed traffic using ramps between Beaverdale and Old 34.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred when an eastbound vehicle was traveling the wrong direction in the westbound lanes of Highway 34. At the 255-mile marker, that vehicle—identified as Unit 1—struck a westbound vehicle, Unit 2. The driver of Unit 1 was ejected from the vehicle. According to the crash report, one fatality occurred and one injured person was transported to the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Breuers Towing. Multiple agencies assisted at the scene including the Iowa State Patrol and the Des Moines County Sheriff. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash remains under investigation.