Driver Airlifted after Buchanan County Collision with Semi

A van driver was airlifted after colliding with a semi near Fairbank on Monday night.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to multiple 911 reports of an accident around 6 pm at the intersection of C-57 and Denison Avenue. 

According to an investigation, a van driven by Brett Cummings of Fairbank was northbound on Denison Avenue and failed to yield the right-of-way and hit a westbound semi at the intersection. Authorities say the semi driver, Dustin DeMoss of Monmouth, tried to avoid a collision, but struck Cummings’ van on the passenger side. 

Cummings was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle. He was airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City with serious injuries. DeMoss suffered minor injuries. 

DeMoss’ semi was carrying hogs at the time of the collision, so crews on the scene of the crash worked to keep the hogs cool with water and transfer them to another semi. 

The accident remains under investigation.

photo courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office