Elderly man injured in crash on Hwy. 1 south of Mount Vernon

A Mount Vernon man was taken to a hospital by helicopter after a rollover accident near Mount Vernon on Monday, authorities said.

Rodney N. Jones, 73, was driving northbound on Highway 1 in a sport-utility vehicle, about two miles south of Mount Vernon, when he lost control just before 8:30 a.m. The vehicle rolled into the east ditch and came to rest on its side, trapping Jones inside. Emergency personnel extricated him a short time later.

Jones, whose injuries did not appear life-threatening, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, authorities said. A deputy on the scene said Jones was responsive, but didn't know about the severity of his injuries. No information about Jones' condition was being released by the hospital.

Jones was the only one in the SUV and was wearing his seat belt, authorities said.

The aircare helicopter landed on the roadway to transport Jones, causing traffic to be blocked in both directions for more than 30 minutes.