Marengo man dies in fiery semi crash near Grinnell

A Marengo man was killed when the semi-tractor trailer he was driving crashed and caught fire early Friday morning, authorities said.

Russell E. Grout, 63, died in the crash at the junction of Highway 63 and 370th Avenue just east of Grinnell, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The semi was owned by Manatts, Inc., of Brooklyn.

According to the accident report, the semi was northbound on Highway 63 around 5:30 a.m. when it entered the east ditch, crossed a private driveway and hit a tree. Grout was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation was under way to determine the cause of the crash.

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