(Des Moines, Iowa) – One person died and another was injured early this (Sunday) morning, during in a crash just north of Des Moines. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2019 Kia Optima driven by 51-year-old William Owen Barnhart, of Pleasant Hill, was traveling east on Interstate 80 near the 133 mile-marker, when the car crashed into the rear of an eastbound 2024 Freightliner semi tractor, driven by a man from Illinois. The accident happened at around 1:40-a.m.

The Patrol says following the impact, the Kia flipped onto its top and slid to a stop in the center lane of I-80. William Barnhart  was injured and transported by Johnston Fire and Rescue to Methodist Hospital. His passenger, 40-year-old Kimberly Louise Barnhart, also of Pleasant Hill, died from her injuries at the scene of the crash. Both were wearing their seat belts.

The driver of the semi tractor was not injured.