Semi rear-ends car on Highway 34

MT. PLEASANT — On Thursday, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle accident on Highway 34 near mile marker 231. The accident involved a semi tractor-trailer and a passenger car.

Upon investigation, deputies said a 2008 Ford Focus driven by Jean Lobanga from Iowa City was in the slow lane of traffic, with flashers activated, and driving at a slow rate of speed.

A semi tractor-trailer belonging to Niece Trucking and driven by Patrick Howard was behind the vehicle. The truck driver reached down to grab a water bottle and did not realize the Lobanga vehicle was moving at a slow rate of speed. The semi tractor-trailer struck the driver-side, rear end of the Lobanga vehicle, pushing it into the westbound ditch. The semi tractor-trailer also went into the westbound ditch.

A passenger from the vehicle, driven by Lobanga, suffered injuries requiring him to be flown by helicopter from the scene to Iowa City hospitals. Another passenger and Lobanga were taken to Henry County Health Center emergency room by ambulance. Howard sustained no injuries from the crash.

Deputies issued Howard a citation for failure to maintain control. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this incident by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Iowa Department of Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Henry County Ambulance and Breuer’s Towing and Recovery.