A Mount Pleasant woman was injured Wednesday morning after making an unsafe turn in front of a semi-truck on Highway 34 in Jefferson County.
Auybriana Johnson, 30, of Mount Pleasant, was transported to Jefferson County Health Center with possible injuries following the 9:38 a.m. crash on March 4th near the intersection of Highway 34 and Velvetleaf Avenue.
According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, both vehicles were traveling westbound on Highway 34, a four-lane highway, when the incident occurred.
Johnson’s 2017 Chevrolet Cruze passed a 2019 Kenworth semi-truck hauling a loaded livestock trailer and then immediately returned to the same lane as the semi. Johnson then quickly made a right turn onto Velvetleaf Avenue, a gravel road. The semi-truck driver was unable to avoid Johnson’s vehicle.
The semi struck Johnson’s vehicle in the passenger door. The semi came to rest on the westbound shoulder, while Johnson’s car came to rest in the right-hand lane of Highway 34.
Johnson, who was not wearing a seatbelt, received possible injuries and was transported by ambulance to Jefferson County Health Center. A passenger in her vehicle was uninjured.
The semi-truck driver, who was wearing his seatbelt, was not injured. A passenger in the semi was also uninjured.
Johnson’s vehicle sustained disabling damage with an estimated repair or replacement cost of $11,000. The semi sustained minor damage with an estimated repair cost of $10,000.
Johnson was cited for:
- Unsafe turn or failure to give signal
- Failure to maintain or use safety belts – adult
The Iowa State Patrol reported that Johnson made an improper turn, while the semi-truck driver took no improper action. The driver’s first event was listed as evasive action (swerve, panic braking, avoidance).
