One person has died and another was injured when a black pickup truck struck a tractor from behind traveling eastbound on Highway 92 Monday afternoon.
Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt tells KNIA/KRLS News the investigation is ongoing, but as of now it looks to be a case of distracted driving with the pickup rear ending the tractor which was on its way to Knoxville to be serviced. The tractor was thrown into the ditch and the tractor driver hurled away from the vehicle at approximately 3:15pm, resulting in the death of Carroll Phillips, 93, of Pleasantville. A Mercy helicopter transported Phillips to Mercy Hospital, where he was confirmed deceased at approximately 5 pm.
The truck driver was alert and communicated with emergency services, and transported to Knoxville Hospital and Clinics. He has not been identified, pending further investigation. The Knoxville Fire Department, Knoxville Township Rural Fire, Knoxville Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Department of Transportation were all on scene.
Story updated at 8:25pm