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Police identify man who died after crashing into Iowa DOT road maintenance vehicle

Des Moines police say that Jose Argueta Rodas' car crashed into an Iowa Department of Transportation road maintenance vehicle while traveling southbound on I-235.

DES MOINES, Iowa —
One man is dead following a crash on Interstate 235 Thursday afternoon, according to Des Moines police

Patrol officers and Des Moines Fire Department personnel responded to reports of a crash involving serious injury on I-235 near the Guthrie Avenue exit around 2:26 p.m.

Upon arrival, first responders found that a car had crashed into an Iowa Department of Transportation road maintenance truck. 

The driver of the car, 72-year-old Jose Argueta Rodas, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Preliminary investigation indicates that the DOT vehicle, occupied by three employees, had pulled off the roadway with emergency warning lights activated and parked on the grass shoulder of southbound I-235. 

As the three employees prepared to exit the truck, Argueta Rodas' car hit the passenger side rear-end of the DOT vehicle. 

The DMPD Traffic Unit continues to investigate the crash. The Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Enforcement and Iowa State Patrol are assisting in the investigation. 

This is Des Moines' first traffic-related fatality of 2023. 

Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest.

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