Waterloo Man Involved In Deadly Polk County Crash

A Waterloo man was involved in a fatal accident in Des Moines.

The three-vehicle crash happened Thursday just before 5 PM on eastbound Interstate 80.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, 65-year-old Roger Lear was driving a vehicle that slowed for traffic congestion. Lear's vehicle was rear-ended by a car that pushed his vehicle into the back of a pick-up truck, driven by 39-year-old David Hobbs of Ankeny.

Authorities identified the driver of the car as 46-year-old James Bartels of Altoona, who died in the accident. The Iowa State Patrol said Bartels failed to stop a safe distance and wasn't wearing a seat belt.

Thursday was a deadly day on Iowa's highways. Officials reported that four people died in three separate crashes across the state.