Two children injured in Kalona drag racing collision

Two children were injured in an apparent drag racing incident on Highway 22 in Kalona Thursday afternoon.

According to a preliminary report released by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Alma Herrera was struck on the rear passenger-side axle area while crossing Highway 22 heading south on Seventh Street around 3:30 p.m., Thursday.

Herrera’s truck was struck by a 2003 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck driven by Connor Shalla.

The report said that witnesses reported that Shalla and another pickup driven by Keegan Gingerich were seen stopped side-by-side facing east at the flashing red light at the intersection of Highway 22 and Sixth Street.

The light at that intersection becomes a flashing red light with a Mid-Prairie school district crossing guard when school lets out for the day.

“The male operators of the two trucks were observed to ‘initiate a drag race,’ and both pickup trucks accelerated in an excessive manner through the intersection, traveling eastbound,” the report stated.

The initial investigation determined that Shalla’s truck hit the rear of Herrera’s truck with enough force to rip off the rear axle of Herrera’s truck and turn it more than 90 degrees, where it came to rest outside of the roadway.

Herrera’s truck was totaled, while Shalla’s truck was determined to be functional.

Two children in Herrera’s truck suffered injuries in the incident and were transported via private vehicle to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Both Shalla and Gingerich were cited for drag racing causing serious bodily injury.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Washington County Ambulance, Kalona Fire Department, Kalona QRS and Earl’s Towing Service.