An improperly secured trailer caused big problems for drivers on I-29 in Council Bluffs Monday morning.
Council Bluffs Police say around 6:00 emergency crews were called to I-29 near Nebraska Avenue for a rollover crash. Investigators determined 80 year old Lucas Dennis, of Winnebago, Minnesota, was northbound in his Dodge Ram pickup truck when he lost the single-axle trailer he was pulling. The safety chains on the trailer were attached, but failed to secure the trailer and broke apart when the trailer unhitched.
The trailer crossed the median and was struck by a Chevy Silverado driven by 41 year old Matthew Ruttle, of Omaha. Ruttle told officers that by the time he realized what was happening, he didn't have time to move out of the way. The impact caused Ruttle's truck to rollover, ending up in the median.
The trailer was hit a second time, by a Ford Focus driven by 33 year old Guadalupe Lemus of Council Bluffs. Lemus and Ruttle were both wearing their seat belts. Ruttle sustained a cut on his head during the crash, but refused medical treatment. Lemus was not injured in the crash. Dennis was cited for failure to secure load.