A multi-vehicle crash Thursday morning caused major backups on Highway 218 North of Mt. Pleasant.

Driver Jose Venegas of Iowa City was transported to the University of Iowa Medical Center by ambulance to be treated for injuries. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, which the Iowa State Patrol Crash Report says saved his life in the collision.

Venegas, who was driving southbound in a Mack semi truck, failed to yield to Derek Blint of Danville, who was driving a livestock trailer northbound, according to the crash report. 

The accident was near the intersection of 218 Northbound and 170th Street, just south of Swedesburg. Henry County EMS and Medforce Air Medical were each called to the scene. The Henry County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa State Patrol also reported to the site of the crash, where they directed traffic while crews worked to clear the road.

Drivers were asked to seek an alternate route during the evaluation and cleanup processes. Roadways were partially reopened at around 12:50 p.m. on Thursday.

KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.