A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says three people suffered minor injuries during a three-vehicle collision Sunday evening on Interstate 80, near Avoca. Patrol Sgt. Bryan Michelsen said the crash happened at around 7-p.m., as vehicles were merging into one lane due to a bridge construction zone on I-80 westbound, at the 44-mile marker.

Michelsen says as traffic was backing up, a pickup rear-ended a stopped car, which then rear-ended a pickup. Two of the vehicles sustained extensive damage, and had to be towed away, while one sustained light damage.

All three drivers suffered minor injuries, and were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital for treatment. The crash and subsequent investigation resulted in traffic being detoured around the site for about two-hours.

Sgt. Michelson says accidents such as the one which occurred Sunday night are becoming more and more frequent, because motorists aren’t exercising common sense and courtesies. He says the Patrol has seen several incidents on eastbound I-80. Michelson says drivers need to heed the construction sign warnings about one-lane traffic ahead, and merge earlier, in order to avoid road rage incidents, or risk causing accidents.