One dies in trash truck rollover

MT. PLEASANT — At approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday, one person died in a single vehicle accident involving a WEMIGA Waste truck.

A 911-dispatcher came across the police scanner calling Henry County emergency personnel to respond to multiple reports of a trash truck that went off the road on Old Highway 34.

As emergency crews arrived to the 1200 block of Old Highway 34 dispatch told units that two individuals were involved in the accident, and one received CPR on scene.

According to the Iowa Highway Patrol’s crash report, John Thornton, 65 of Salem, drove the truck westbound on Old Highway 34 when he went unconscious.

The vehicle first went off the road to the right then crossed back over both lanes and rolled coming to a rest in the south ditch.

Thornton died in the crash and his passenger, Michael Hines, 47 of Mt. Pleasant, suffered injuries which resulted in his transport to Henry County Hospitals and Clinics.

According to the crash report, neither of the men wore seat belts at the time of the accident.

The Mt. Pleasant Police, Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Henry County Sheriff, Mt. Pleasant Fire, Trenton First Responders, Henry County EMS, Henry County Roads, and Breuers Towing responded to the accident.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com