Altoona, IA – Deputy Injured After Patrol Vehicle Struck on I-80

Altoona, IA (August 14, 2025) – A Polk County Sheriff’s deputy was injured early Friday morning when their patrol vehicle was hit while responding to an earlier crash on Interstate 80. The incident happened around 4:40 a.m. near Altoona, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities said the deputy was assisting the Iowa State Patrol at the scene of a previous accident when their marked Tahoe, parked at the site, was struck from behind by another vehicle. The impact occurred while the deputy was inside the SUV.

Emergency crews transported the deputy by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries. The deputy’s name has not been released. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding both crashes.

Our thoughts are with the injured deputy, and we wish them a full recovery. The investigation remains ongoing.

Highway Collision Risks in Altoona

Highway crash scenes can be dangerous for both drivers and emergency responders. In Altoona and other parts of Iowa, collisions on I-80 often occur at high speeds, which increases the severity of injuries when accidents happen. Even when emergency vehicles are marked, visibility challenges, driver inattention, and weather conditions can contribute to secondary crashes like this one.

Iowa’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights. Failure to follow this law can lead to serious consequences, both legally and in terms of safety. Unfortunately, secondary accidents at crash scenes remain a significant hazard, putting law enforcement officers, paramedics, and tow operators at risk.

Injuries from such incidents may entitle victims to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Legal guidance can be especially valuable when multiple accidents are involved, as determining liability can be complex. An experienced personal injury attorney can review crash reports, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers to ensure injured parties receive fair compensation.

For drivers, the best prevention is attentiveness, reducing speed, keeping a safe distance, and moving over when approaching an active emergency scene. These actions not only comply with the law but also protect those working to keep Iowa’s roads safe.

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