Dense fog contributed to five vehicles, including three semi-tractor trailers, being involved in an early morning wreck Thursday near Perry, with only one minor injury reported.

The incident occurred at around 5:45 a.m. at the underpass of the junction of highways 169 and 141 east of Perry. According to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, a 2011 Mack semi driven by 63-year-old Joe Ewoldt from Vail was travelling northbound on 169, while a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by 58-year-old Laurene Black of Jamaica was headed southbound. As both vehicles approached the south ramps of 141, a 2003 Peterbilt semi driven by 55-year-old Michael Smothers of Perry pulled onto 169 heading north from the eastbound off ramp. Ewoldt was unable to stop and the two semis collided, and then ran into Black’s car in the other lane. Smothers said he had a hard time seeing the oncoming traffic due to the thick fog.

A short time later, a 2013 Ford F250 pickup driven by 51-year-old David Claassen of Ogden came upon the wreck from the north and pulled onto the west shoulder of 169 to check on the other drivers. As he was doing so, a 2012 Freightliner semi driven by 70-year-old Gary Marxen of Council Bluffs entered the scene from the south. Marxen, also inhibited by the dense fog, was unable to stop in time and collided with Smothers’ semi, followed by Claassen’s pickup. Black complained of pain following the wreck and was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Dallas County Hospital with minor injuries.

Each of the individuals involved in the collision was wearing a seatbelt, and the airbags in Black’s car were deployed. Both lanes of Highway 169 at the underpass, as well as the south on and off ramps from 141, were blocked for over three hours as emergency crews cleaned up the scene. The semis driven by Ewoldt, Smothers, and Marxen sustained $80,000, $60,000, and $30,000 in damage, respectively. Black’s car was totaled, and Claassen’s truck had $6,000 in damage, though he was able to drive away. The other four vehicles were towed from the scene. Smothers was cited for failure to obey a stop sign and yield right-of-way. The Iowa State Patrol, Perry Police Department, Perry, Minburn, and Woodward fire departments, and Dallas County EMS assisted at the scene.