I-74 Hit & Run Driver in the Wind: Redington

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they may never know the identity of the driver whose illegal lane change led to a 31-car pileup on the Interstate 74 bridge in Bettendorf.

 

Bettendorf spokeswoman Lauran Haldeman told the Quad-City Times the driver abruptly changed lanes to reach an exit ramp on Monday morning, cutting in front of another motorist. The driver then left the area, leaving behind a series of chain-reaction crashes.

Bettendorf Police Chief Phil Redington says the motorist who was cut off slammed on her brakes and managed to avoid a crash, but she was then struck from behind.

Redington says the driver who caused the crashes could be cited with illegal lane change, but police have no description of the vehicle.

Icy conditions also were a factor in the crashes.