Eastbound Interstate 80 was closed near the Avoca exit in Iowa for nearly three hours Friday evening after a semi went out of control and hit seven other vehicles. The truck driver was taken from the scene by medical helicopter.
The Iowa State Patrol says the truck driver either didn't see or couldn't stop from crashing into vehicles that had slowed or stopped as they merged down to one lane due to construction.
The driver swerved onto the right shoulder, sideswiping several vehicles before finally coming to rest in the middle of the highway around 4:30 Friday afternoon.
The driver of the semi and a young girl, who was sitting in a car seat were taken to the hospital just as a precaution.
Late Friday night, one lane of traffic was reopened near the crash site.
The markings on the semi indicated the company was based out of Wisconsin.
