Day care van slams into semi head on in Des Moines; 7 children, 2 adults hospitalized

Authorities in Iowa are investigating a crash after a day care van slammed head on into a semi-truck Thursday sending nearly a dozen people to hospitals, including seven children.

The West Des Moines Police Department reported the catastrophic two-vehicle wreck took place just before 2 p.m. near EP True Parkway.

Police Sgt. Adam Porath told USA TODAY the day care van was driving north on South 88th Street and the semi was traveling south when the driver of the van lost control, it traveled into the southbound lane and then struck the semi head on.

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7 children, 2 adults taken to hospitals

At the time of the crash 10 children and one adult, the driver, were in the vehicle.

The semi, which had two adult male passengers including the driver, was carrying a load of drywall when the crash took place, police said.

Paramedics transported seven children and two adults to hospitals to be treated for non life-threatening injuries.

Multiple police and fire agencies from nearby jurisdictions assisted the injured with medical treatment and to clean up diesel that spilled from the semi, Porath said.

Police did not say what day care the children attended or release the names or ages of the people involved in the wreck.

Official cause of crash, potential charges pending

The official cause of the crash remained under investigation Thursday.

So far, police reported, no official charges have been filed in the case.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.