DES MOINES, Iowa — One person is dead and another critically injured following a crash on Merle Hay Road Friday morning, according to Des Moines police.
Officers responded to reports of a crash with injuries near the 3800 block of Merle Hay Road around 8:20 a.m.
When they arrived, first responders found a crash involving a semi-truck and a sedan.
Witnesses reported that the semi-truck was heading north on Merle Hay Road when it hit the curb and then swerved over the median, colliding head-on with the sedan.
The semi-truck then left the roadway, stopping when it collided with a utility pole.
"You're looking at the mass of a semi and a small passenger car, even at low speeds those are very dangerous situations," said Sgt. Paul Parizek.
50-year-old Chad Lentz, the driver of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the semi-truck was found in critical condition and was likely suffering from "an apparent medical event", according to police.
The semi driver was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Merle Hay Road has since reopened.
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