North Carolina man dies in collision on I-80

GRINNELL — A North Carolina man driving the pilot vehicle for a tractor-trailer with an oversize load died Thursday when he was hit by a truck while tending to a blown tire about 7:16 a.m.

According to a report by the Iowa State Patrol, a 2017 International tractor-trailer with an oversize load, driven by Gerald Allen Mayfield, 76, of Onalaska, Texas, blew a trailer tire and parked on the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 80 near mile marker 185 in Poweshiek County.

The pilot vehicle, a 2006 Ford F350, driven by Brenton Fregia, 55, of Troutman, N.C., parked behind the International, the report says.

A 1995 Kenworth tractor-trailer, driven by Larry Comstock, 66, of Stronghurst, Illinois, was eastbound and struck the pilot vehicle and the rear of the International.

Fregia was outside attending to the tire when the Kenworth collided with the parked vehicles. He was transported by Grinnell EMS to UnityPoint Health-Grinnell Regional Medical Center and died of his injuries.

Christina Marie Leeth, 48, of Onalaska, Texas, was also taken by Grinnell EMS to UnityPoint-Grinnell. She sustained non-fatal injuries. No other injuries were reported.

The International was towed from the scene by Hanifen Towing, of Des Moines. The Ford F350 was towed by Barney’s Services, of Newton, the report said.