WAPELLO COUNTY – An accident involving two semi trucks resulted in injuries to both drivers and the temporary closure of a portion of Highway 63 yesterday.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 1:29 PM yesterday afternoon in the 4000 block of Highway 63 south of Ottumwa. A semi truck driven by 52-year-old Cerelus Smith of Green Acres, Florida was facing northbound on Highway 63, preparing to turn left into a driveway access. Another semi truck driven by 55-year-old Nhangphayboun Kongkeo of Saint Petersburg, Florida was also traveling northbound and struck the vehicle that Smith was driving from behind. Both vehicles came to rest on Highway 63.

Emergency personnel arrived on scene and crews utilized hydraulic rescue tools to extricate Kongkeo from their vehicle. Kongkeo was later airlifted to Des Moines for medical treatment, while Smith was transported by ambulance to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.

The accident resulted in a portion of Highway 63 being closed for nearly four hours. 

Agencies and organizations that provided assistance during this incident included the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Police Department, Wapello County Rural Fire Department, Wapello County Emergency Management Agency, ORMICS, MercyOne Air Med, Deran’s Towing, and the Iowa DOT.