Wrong-way crash on I-35 in Ankney.

[Tenacious E]

Happened on southbound lanes north of corporate woods drive. I am trying to fathom how this could occur at 5:15 pm when there should have been lots of oncoming traffic on the exit the person used as an on ramp. It is just seems unbelievable he could dodge oncoming traffic and merge going the wrong way, get up to interstate speeds, and have a head on collision.

https://who13.com/news/metro-news/serious-injuries-reported-in-wrong-way-crash-on-i-35-in-ankeny/

 

[Tenacious E]

This says it happened SOUTH of corporate woods drive. I don’t know how someone could be going the wrong way there that time of day, unless the driver was stopped on the shoulder, and then did a u turn into oncoming traffic. Anyone have more specifics?

 

[Bank of Hawk]

Scary af, extreme drunk driving could be a reason a person makes such a fateful decision.

 

[noleclone2]

Scary af, extreme drunk driving could be a reason a person makes such a fateful decision.

My first thought. Or extremely elderly/dementia

 

[Tenacious E]

My first thought. Or extremely elderly/dementia

My first thought was actually dementia.

 

[Mister_Man]

Reminds me of the below documentary; There’s Something Wrong With Aunt Diane

 

[HawkOptimist]

Report says it was a 91 year-old man from Minnesota, and that he passed away. With the new east mixmaster that’s under construction, I’m wondering if he didn’t get confused and somehow get through one of the construction zones and make his way into the southbound lane. Or missed his exit, tried turning around somewhere, and ended up where he did.

 

[stickman80]

That's not even one of those death trap X cross overs like Waukee.

There were 2 LEOs, a prisoner they were transporting, and an intoxicated driver killed in one incident.

Couple months ago driving after dark with a couple out of town friends and their thoughts were, "Wow.....what idots designed and approved this?"

 

[Tenacious E]

Report says it was a 91 year-old man from Minnesota, and that he passed away. With the new east mixmaster that’s under construction, I’m wondering if he didn’t get confused and somehow get through one of the construction zones and make his way into the southbound lane. Or missed his exit, tried turning around somewhere, and ended up where he did.

The accident report will come out, but that is impossible, if the accident happened south of corporate woods drive. He would have to have already been traveling east bound on west bound I80 for at least a mile, which is packed at 5:15, then exit on the on ramp, which is also filled with cars at 5:15, then drive north another mile or so, on a packed I-35 south bound. The only thing that makes sense is if he was pulled over on the side of the road going southbound, and then tried to do a U turn across 4 lanes of southbound traffic to go northbound, but even then there are concrete barriers separating the interstate north/south. At 5:15 it would be dark so he was probably disoriented as well as suffering from dementia. Just a horrible wrong place wrong time for whoever he hit. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.

For those unfamiliar with the geography, here it is:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Tenacious E]

That's not even one of those death trap X cross overs like Waukee.

There were 2 LEOs, a prisoner they were transporting, and an intoxicated driver killed in one incident.

Couple months ago driving after dark with a couple out of town friends and their thoughts were, "Wow.....what idots designed and approved this?"

For the life of me I do not understand why they have gone to the diverging diamond concept. It improves nothing, from my perspective, and is confusing for new drivers, especially in the dark.

 

[HROT]

For the life of me I do not understand why they have gone to the diverging diamond concept. It improves nothing, from my perspective, and is confusing for new drivers, especially in the dark.

It actually makes a ton of sense and the data backs it up. Just because it’s new/scary doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. People will struggle with roundabouts or 4 lane roads

 

[Tenacious E]

Report says it was a 91 year-old man from Minnesota, and that he passed away. With the new east mixmaster that’s under construction, I’m wondering if he didn’t get confused and somehow get through one of the construction zones and make his way into the southbound lane. Or missed his exit, tried turning around somewhere, and ended up where he did.

For those interested, here is the news report, and a zoomed in map around mile marker 88

https://who13.com/news/metro-news/91-year-old-driver-identified-in-deadly-i-35-wrong-way-crash/

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Tenacious E]

It actually makes a ton of sense and the data backs it up. Just because it’s new/scary doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. People will struggle with roundabouts or 4 lane roads

Explain why having to cross the "x" of a diverging diamond is superior to simply driving straight. I do agree that rotaries are the most efficient way to deal with multiple roads coming together.

 

[EagleHawk]

For the life of me I do not understand why they have gone to the diverging diamond concept. It improves nothing, from my perspective, and is confusing for new drivers, especially in the dark.

Educate yourself

 

[stickman80]

It actually makes a ton of sense and the data backs it up. Just because it’s new/scary doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. People will struggle with roundabouts or 4 lane roads

A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Plenty of weak links in driving: impaired, distracted, inexperienced, aged, weather condition impaired, ect....they need to keep our traffic infrastructure as simple as possible....when the weak links break other people die too.

 

[stickman80]

Educate yourself

View embedded media

I'm plenty educated with the victims of these things.

 

[EagleHawk]

Report says it was a 91 year-old man from Minnesota, and that he passed away. With the new east mixmaster that’s under construction, I’m wondering if he didn’t get confused and somehow get through one of the construction zones and make his way into the southbound lane. Or missed his exit, tried turning around somewhere, and ended up where he did.

Old, from MN and on I-35? That checks out.

 

[Tenacious E]

Educate yourself

View embedded media

8 minute video?

 

[MitchLL]

The accident report will come out, but that is impossible, if the accident happened south of corporate woods drive. He would have to have already been traveling east bound on west bound I80 for at least a mile, which is packed at 5:15, then exit on the on ramp, which is also filled with cars at 5:15, then drive north another mile or so, on a packed I-35 south bound. The only thing that makes sense is if he was pulled over on the side of the road going southbound, and then tried to do a U turn across 4 lanes of southbound traffic to go northbound, but even then there are concrete barriers separating the interstate north/south. At 5:15 it would be dark so he was probably disoriented as well as suffering from dementia. Just a horrible wrong place wrong time for whoever he hit. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.

For those unfamiliar with the geography, here it is:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Agree on all counts.

No way he made it that far without some kind of U turn.

 

[bagdropper]

Drivers indeed do some very strange things, hard to explain. Not to thread hijack, but...

Yesterday I was driving southbound on 380 approaching the US30 exchange. I needed to get to Kirkwood Blvd, so I exited in the left of two exit lanes for US30. The left lane takes you over 380 to head east - all I need to do is when the overpass splits to eastbound 30 or Kirkwood Blvd is to take the right instead of left to US30E.

A shitbox sedan on 380 is in the far right lane (which takes the driver to 30W) - while on the exit, he of course crosses over right in front of me cutting me off - he too needed to get to Kirkwood Blvd (left exit lane) but was in the wrong lane. He then speeds off at a high rate of speed. But he then takes the left at the split to go to 30E, figures out the error of his ways...and a hundred yards into the 30E entrance lane, veers off and tromps THROUGH THE GRASS FIELD and launches back onto the Kirkwood exit again right in front of me causing me to hard slam on my brakes doing 55 mph.


Yes, OP subject...91 years old played a LOT in this accident. But I got a good look at my asshole driver and the guy didn't look more than maybe tops 25 years old.

My point is, idiot drivers are out there no matter their age. I drive for a living, and it constantly amazes me how many absolute idiots are out there behind the wheel.

 

[lonestar50]

It actually makes a ton of sense and the data backs it up. Just because it’s new/scary doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. People will struggle with roundabouts or 4 lane roads

I've traveled the one on Tower Terrace in CR a few times and didn't see the big deal. I had read about how confusing it is. You stop at the red lights and follow the green arrows. What's so hard about that?

I think that's what they're doing to the Boyson Rd interchange as well.

 

[EagleHawk]

Drivers indeed do some very strange things, hard to explain. Not to thread hijack, but...

Yesterday I was driving southbound on 380 approaching the US30 exchange. I needed to get to Kirkwood Blvd, so I exited in the left of two exit lanes for US30. The left lane takes you over 380 to head east - all I need to do is when the overpass splits to eastbound 30 or Kirkwood Blvd is to take the right instead of left to US30E.

A shitbox sedan on 380 is in the far right lane (which takes the driver to 30W) - while on the exit, he of course crosses over right in front of me cutting me off - he too needed to get to Kirkwood Blvd (left exit lane) but was in the wrong lane. He then speeds off at a high rate of speed. But he then takes the left at the split to go to 30E, figures out the error of his ways...and a hundred yards into the 30E entrance lane, veers off and tromps THROUGH THE GRASS FIELD and launches back onto the Kirkwood exit again right in front of me causing me to hard slam on my brakes doing 55 mph.


Yes, OP subject...91 years old played a LOT in this accident. But I got a good look at my asshole driver and the guy didn't look more than maybe tops 25 years old.

My point is, idiot drivers are out there no matter their age. I drive for a living, and it constantly amazes me how many absolute idiots are out there behind the wheel.

And all your idiot needed to do was take the next exit and take a left onto Kirkwood.

 

[EagleHawk]

I've traveled the one on Tower Terrace in CR a few times and didn't see the big deal. I had read about how confusing it is. You stop at the red lights and follow the green arrows. What's so hard about that?

I think that's what they're doing to the Boyson Rd interchange as well.

And at Wright Bros Blvd by the airport. Lots of truck traffic in that area.

Boyson and Center Point Road they need to add a roundabout more than they need to fix the Boyson interchange with 380.

 

[bagdropper]

And all your idiot needed to do was take the next exit and take a left onto Kirkwood.

I see people getting into the wrong exit lane all the time there through the years, so much so that whenever I'm exiting to Kirkwood I'm leery of ANY vehicle in the far right (30W) lane once south of 33rd. It's almost as if being in the correct lane is actually the worst place to be because of idiots that aren't.

That romp through the field though...can't believe he didn't spin out, bottom out, or flip over. Then he simply merges back onto pavement as if nothing at all happened.

Just another ride home on 380 through CR. Assume your fellow driver will make the wrong decision always (and be ready for it) and you'll live through it.

 

[EagleHawk]

I see people getting into the wrong exit lane all the time there through the years, so much so that whenever I'm exiting to Kirkwood I'm leery of ANY vehicle in the far right (30W) lane once south of 33rd. It's almost as if being in the correct lane is actually the worst place to be because of idiots that aren't.

That romp through the field though...can't believe he didn't spin out, bottom out, or flip over. Then he simply merges back onto pavement as if nothing at all happened.

Just another ride home on 380 through CR. Assume your fellow driver will make the wrong decision always (and be ready for it) and you'll live through it.

I always assume anyone in the right lane going S past 33rd is going to want to merge left at 30 to stay on 380, and yeah, anyone on the 30 exit ramp is probably also in the wrong lane.

 

[GOHOX69]

My first thought. Or extremely elderly/dementia

When I lived in Maryland, dude with Alzheimer's did that on the beltway. 3 died including him and 2 in the vehicle he struck.

 

[Underscore2]

Educate yourself

View embedded media

Since we're on the internet, I will watch.

 

[lucas80]

There was one a few weeks ago on 330 outside of Marshalltown. Really tragic. A DMACC nursing student was driving to Marshalltown to see her boyfriend when a driver got on going southbound in the northbound lanes and hit her. The driver was also a young woman in the nursing program at DMACC, apparently. From what I heard no intoxication, just confusion, and it was so remote and with no traffic she drove several miles before striking the northbound car. Two promising young lives cut short.