One in serious condition, another stable following Fairfax crash

FAIRFAX – Two people remained hospitalized Friday after a serious crash that shut down Highway 151 in Fairfax.

Joy Talley, 25, of Marion, suffered head injuries when the sport-utility vehicle was rear-ended by a semi-trailer truck Thursday morning. She was in serious condition in the intensive care unit Friday at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, her sister told SourceMedia Group.

Talley was preparing to turn left onto Williams Boulevard around 8 a.m. when her SUV was struck from behind by a semi driven by Max Stransky, 67, of Cedar Rapids, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The collision sent Talley's SUV into the path of an oncoming pickup that was pulling an enclosed trailer.

The SUV sustained major damage and debris was littered across the highway. The pickup went off the highway and down an embankment before it stopped near a utility pole.

Lt. Randy Jones said Talley's injuries are serious but she is expected to live.

The driver of the pickup, Jeffrey Levsen, 45, of Marion, was in stable condition at St. Luke's Hospital on Friday, a hospital spokeswoman said. Stransky and two passengers who were in the pickup were not hurt, authorities said.

The accident shut down the highway for more than 90 minutes, and traffic was rerouted.

An investigation into the crash is continuing and charges are pending, authorities said.