Executive Summary
- A fatal hit-and-run occurred on Interstate 80 near Grinnell, Iowa, early Tuesday morning.
- 911 callers reported a pedestrian walking on the highway shortly after 5:00 a.m.
- Responding officers discovered a deceased individual at the scene.
- Iowa State Patrol is asking witnesses to contact them at 319-396-4414.
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Iowa State Patrol (ISP) has launched an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run collision on Interstate 80 near Grinnell, following the discovery of a deceased pedestrian early Tuesday morning.
According to statements from the Iowa State Patrol, emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 calls shortly after 5:00 a.m. reporting an individual walking on the roadway approximately 20 miles east of Grinnell. Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers located a deceased individual.
The ISP has officially classified the incident as a “fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crash.” As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities had not released the identity of the victim or a description of the vehicle involved. Investigators are currently working to reconstruct the scene and identify the driver responsible.
Law enforcement officials are appealing to the public for assistance. The Iowa State Patrol urges anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has relevant information regarding the crash, to contact their office at 319-396-4414.
Investigative Outlook
The classification of this incident as a hit-and-run initiates a complex forensic investigation, where law enforcement will likely rely on roadway debris, tire impressions, and potential surveillance footage from nearby interchanges to identify the suspect vehicle. Pedestrian presence on controlled-access interstate highways presents significant safety hazards, particularly during pre-dawn hours when visibility is compromised. As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on establishing a precise timeline of events and locating the driver who fled the scene.
