Rebecca McClaine Killed in Truck Accident on I-80 in Cedar County, IA
Cedar County, IA — January 14, 2023, 46-year-old Rebecca McClaine died in a collision with a semi-truck on Interstate 80 in Cedar County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 3:05 a.m. along I-80 near mile marker 277. Preliminary investigation suggests McClaine was allegedly driving a Honda car east in the highway's westbound lanes, against traffic, when she collided with a westbound semi-truck. After the impact both vehicles came to rest in the median.
McClaine was fatally injured in the collision. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
I often stress the importance of keeping an open mind after reading preliminary reports. Many folks make the mistake of thinking the few details in "breaking" news are more or less the whole story, but clearly there's more to learn in Cedar County. If the victim was traveling in the oncoming lane, why? Did she swerve to avoid something in her lane? Did her vehicle malfunction or blow a tire? Could she have had a medical emergency? How long was she in the westbound lane before she encountered the truck? Does her vehicle's Electronic Control Module (ECM) data give any helpful insights? Did the truck have a dashcam recording what led up to the accident?
I don't mean to rapid-fire questions, but I often have far more of them than I do answers after reading the news. As frustrating as that is to me, I can't imagine the hardship it may make for an accident victim's family. The Iowa victim's loved ones deserve all the answers they can get about their terrible loss; I hope authorities will take the time and care needed to provide them.
