(Williams, Iowa) – A crash during a pursuit between a car and a semi tractor-trailer Monday night in Hamilton County, resulted in two Washington State residents being flown to a hospital in Des Moines. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Toyota Camry driven by 26-year-old Viliami Wight, of Auburn, WA, was eluding law enforcement at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly on Highway 20 westbound, at around 8:10-p.m., when the car crossed the median.

The Toyota struck a 2003 Kenworth semi driven by 52-year-old Joseph Ward, of Steamboat Rock, Iowa. Wight, and his passenger, 52-year-old Laurie Henke, also of Auburn, WA, were flown by Mercy One Airmed and LifeFlight helicopters to Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines. The crash remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted by the Hardin and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Departments, Williams Fire and EMS, Van Diest EMS, and Iowa DOT MVE Officers.