State of Iowa’s Horrific Year on Roads Continues as Three More are Killed

At least three more people lost their lives on Iowa roads this weekend, continuing what has been a deadly year in the state.

Northwest Iowa Crash Kills Two

Two women were killed Friday, December 15, just after 7:10 a.m. when their vehicle was struck at the intersection of US-71 and 550th St, north of Storm Lake, in northwest Iowa.

30-year-old Mayra Lopez-Zavala of Storm Lake was driving a 2019 Chevy Trax eastbound on 550th Street/C43. The Iowa State Patrol says she stopped at the stop sign and then proceeded into the path of a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 that was southbound on US-71.

Mayra Lopez-Zavala died at the scene. Her 62-year-old passenger, Maria Zavala-Saldana, also of Storm Lake, was taken to an area hospital where she later passed away from her injuries.

The driver of the Ram pickup suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

One Person Killed in I-80 Accident

A 29-year-old man was killed on I-80 Saturday afternoon, December 16.

The Iowa State Patrol says Malak Singh was driving a 2022 Volvo Conventional westbound on I-80 when he lost control. Singh's vehicle rolled onto its side and crashed into the north ditch of I-80, just east of Adair in west-central Iowa.

Singh, from South Richmond Hill, New York, died at the scene.

Iowa's Deadliest Year on Roads Since 2016

Through Sunday, December 17, there have been 361 people killed on Iowa roads this year. That is the highest number of fatalities since 2016 when 402 people died.

2023 Deaths Significantly Higher Than Recent Years

Over 360 people have been killed on Iowa roads only five times since 2010. They are listed below.

• 2016: 402
• 2010: 390
• 2012: 365
• 2023: 361 to date
• 2011: 360