Highway 1 crash leaves 2 dead

A multi-vehicle crash near Mount Vernon left two people dead and several others injured Monday afternoon.

According to the Linn County Sheriff's Office, three vehicles were northbound on Highway 1 just south of Abbe Hills Road around 4:12 p.m. Monday. Three vehicles were stopped in a construction zone and the last vehicle was hit from behind by a SUV driven by 44-year-old Kimberly J. Sargent, of Platteville, Wis., causing a chain reaction. The driver of the first vehicle that was hit, David J. Hultquist, 33, of Martelle; and his passenger, 23-year-old Skyler G. Darrow, of Martelle, died after the crash at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Sargent was taken to Mercy Medical Center for what were believed to be serious injuries, according to the sheriff's office. Two of Sargent's children in the SUV also were taken to Mercy Medical Center. Their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

The drivers of the two other vehicles and one passenger were not injured and refused treatment.

Charges are pending and the crash remains under investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

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