The Iowa State Patrol reports alcohol and speed were apparently to blame for a single-vehicle rollover accident early Saturday morning in Pottawattamie County, that injured four people. A 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by 21-year old Richard Washington, of Lamoni, was traveling west on Interstate 80 just south of the I-80/I-680 split, when the SUV left the road to the right, at around 4:47-a.m., Saturday.

The vehicle rolled down an embankment and came to rest in a wooded area. The patrol says Richard Washigton and a front seat passenger, were believed to have been ejected from the SUV. Two rear-seat passengers were able to get out of the vehicle, which burst into flames. The vehicle was a total loss. Neola and Minden Fire responded to the scene, along with LifeNet helicopter.

Washington and 21-year old Alexis Koch, of Sanford, Florida, were not wearing their seat belts. Washington was transported by Minden Rescue to Mercy Hospital. Koch was flown by LifeNet to the UNMC in Omaha. Two other victims, 27-year old Larry Reid, and 25-year old Steven Fernandez, both of Lamoni, wore their seat belts. They were transported by Neola Rescue to Mercy Hospital.