15-vehicle pileup near Iowa City kills 2, temporarily shuts I-80 westbound, state patrol says

Two people died and several were injured in a 15-vehicle pileup early Sunday on Interstate 80 near Iowa City, the Iowa State Patrol said.

Several drivers lost control of their vehicles and collided about 5:46 a.m., said Trooper Robert Conrad. Nine of the vehicles involved were semi trailers, he said.

According to coordinates provided by the state patrol, the accident occurred near the North Dodge Street exit northeast of Iowa City, leaving the westbound lanes of the highway temporarily closed.

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"This crash demonstrates the importance of all drivers paying attention, every single minute, to road conditions and potential hazards ahead," Conrad said in a statement. "Two families now have to adapt and accept a loved one never returning home! These types of crashes CAN be avoided."

The accident remained under investigation, the state patrol said, and no further details were immediately available.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter at @NoelleHannika or email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 15-vehicle accident kills 2 northeast of Iowa City on I-80