Names in 3-Vehicle Double-Fatality Released

Authorities have released the names of those involved in a 3-vehicle accident that killed two eastern Iowa residents.

The accident happened Monday (Oct. 5) at about 2:30pm, at the intersection of Covington Road and Gibney Road, south of Palo in Linn County.

A pickup driven by 17 year old Jaymin Rathje of Palo, was northbound on Covington Road, when it crossed the center line and collided nearly head-on with a semi-tractor trailer, driven by 61 year old Douglas Yates of Palo.

The semi continued for a short distance, until it flipped onto it's side, crashing into a car driven by 27 year old Jacqueline Voelker of Palo.
The car and the cab of the semi caught fire, burning up both vehicles. The pickup ended up in a ditch.

Yates, the semi driver, was helped out of his wrecked rig, with help from passing motorists. He was flown to University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City with serious injuries.

Rathje and Voelker were pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident is still under under investigation by the Linn County Sheriff's Office.