The eastbound lanes of Highway 34 near Dewberry Avenue east of Batavia in Jefferson County were shut down Tuesday afternoon after a semi-truck jackknifed, blocking both lanes, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Eastern Iowa Accidents & Fire. The roadway has since reopened.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 3:09 p.m., the Jefferson County Communications Center received 911 calls regarding a semi-tractor-trailer that had gone off the roadway on Highway 34 near Dewberry Avenue. It was determined the semi was traveling eastbound after negotiating a curve when the driver lost control due to wet roadway conditions, causing the truck to jackknife and block both eastbound lanes.
The driver, from Columbus, Ohio, was not injured.
Drivers were initially encouraged to take Exit 203 into Batavia, then head south on Ash Avenue, east on 240th Street to Libertyville, and back north out of Libertyville onto Hemlock Avenue.
UPDATE 4:05 p.m.: Emergency personnel diverted eastbound traffic at Exit 199 in Wapello County to Highway 16, then to Highway 1.
UPDATE 6:05 p.m.: All emergency personnel cleared and the roadway reopened.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Jefferson County Dispatch, Batavia Fire, Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DOT, and Deran’s Towing.
