Wreck at Springville intersection injures three; some changes on the way

UPDATE: Three people were injured in a wreck at a dangerous intersection on Highway 151 late Sunday.

Just before 10 p.m., deputies rushed to where the highway intersects with Springville Road. They discovered two pickups had collided after one pulled out in front of the other.

According to the Linn County sheriff's office, Patrick J. Kos, 22, of Mount Vernon, was northbound on Springville Road and stopped at a stop sign, but then proceeded into the eastbound lanes of Highway 151. His pickup was hit in the driver's side door by an eastbound pickup driven by Logan L. Blackford, 16, of Shellsburg.

Blackford's vehicle ended up in the median, and the Kos vehicle came to rest on Springville Road just north of the intersection.

Kos and a passenger in his vehicle, Stefany M. Lupia, 15, of Anamosa, were taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, and Blackford was taken to a local clinic. None of their injuries appeared to be life-threatening, authorities said.

An investigation was continuing.

The intersection has been the site of two fatality crashes and several other serious accidents in recent years. Officials from Springville and the Iowa Department of Transportation have discussed making changes, but have been at odds about what action to take.

Cathy Cutler, a DOT transportation planner, said bids will be accepted in September to construct median islands and install yield signs at the intersection. She said the work is considered an interim addition that hopefully will remind motorists to use caution.

Talks are still ongoing about more extensive reconstruction of the intersection. DOT officials hope to have a design selected by next summer.