911 calls detail I-80 crash that injured 32 people

IOWA COUNTY — Newly released 911 recordings reveal fear, concern and an attempt to help after a fiery crash on Interstate 80 in Iowa County last week.

Dispatchers in Iowa County received nearly a dozen 911 calls in the moments after the crash, which injured 32, around 4:15 Friday afternoon.

'There has been a wreck out here, there is vehicles on fire, I don't know if anybody is hurt or not, my husband just jumped out of the truck and ran up there with our fire extinguisher,' one caller told the emergency dispatcher. 'I was reading a book and all of the sudden I look up and my husband said, oh [expletive], and he threw his brakes on, next thing I know I see semis going and fire bursting and everything.'

Another caller appeared to be emotionally upset and in tears while describing the scene.

'There's tons of people gunna be hurt, I just know there is,' the caller said.

'You need an ambulance and everything,' another caller said.

Two people involved in the crash remain hospitalized, according to Sgt. Nathan Ludwig of the Iowa State Patrol. One of those is the driver of the semi, which burst into flames. Ludwig said the driver, Fedir Maftei, 59, of Portland, Ore., is in critical condition but expected to survive.

Troopers said charges are pending in the crash but did not specify which driver may be facing charges. The prelimiary crash report said Maftei's semi rear-ended a Ford Escape in the westbound lanes just west of the Tanger Outlet Mall. Investigators said that led to three more vehicles crashing, including a tour bus that was carrying 26 passengers.