ALTOONA, Iowa — A promising young life was cut short early Friday morning when 19-year-old Zachary “Zach” Scothorn, a student at Iowa State University, was killed in a devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 80 near Altoona.
The Iowa State Patrol reported that the crash occurred at approximately 1:35 a.m., when Scothorn, driving a Toyota Tundra, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80. His truck collided head-on with an oncoming eastbound vehicle, sparking a chain reaction that involved two additional vehicles.
A graduate of Johnston High School and a supply chain management major at Iowa State, Scothorn had recently begun his college journey. Friends and classmates described him as ambitious, good-natured, and deeply connected to his community in Johnston, where he grew up, before moving to Ames for his studies.
According to the crash report, a second vehicle traveling eastbound could not avoid striking Scothorn’s disabled truck. That vehicle became immobilized in the roadway and was hit by a third vehicle moments later.
Scothorn, who authorities confirmed was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, along with the drivers of the two other vehicles, sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital by Altoona EMS. Officials have not released details regarding the severity of their conditions.
The wreck left behind a scene of destruction and caused extensive traffic delays through the early morning hours as first responders worked to secure the area. In a tragic development, at around 4:40 a.m., a Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle was struck while responding to the crash. The deputy inside suffered injuries and was also transported to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the wrong-way driving incident, with toxicology results and additional details expected in the coming days. Officials have not yet determined whether impairment or other factors contributed to the crash.
The loss of Scothorn has left the Johnston and Iowa State communities reeling. Former classmates and peers have taken to social media to share memories, describing him as “a bright soul with big dreams” and “someone who always knew how to make others laugh.”
Funeral arrangements for Zach Scothorn have not yet been announced, but his family is expected to release details in the coming days. Meanwhile, students and faculty at Iowa State University are preparing to honor his memory with support services for grieving classmates.