(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports dense fog played a role in a head-on crash Thursday morning. At around 7:30-a.m., Adams County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a possible accident. The reporting party stated “Life360” had the vehicle not moving on Highway 148. Adams County Dispatch then took a second 911 call reporting an Apple iPhone was in a serious crash on Highway 148 at North Lake Road.

Adams County Sheriff’s Office photo

Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies, Corning Fire and Corning Ambulance, were paged to the reported scene. When deputies arrived on scene, they found an Acura with extensive front-end damage, facing southbound in the middle of Highway 148. The driver of the car – later identified as 40-year-old Bryan Coffman-Sayre, of Corning, was trapped in his vehicle. Deputies also saw a Jeep Wrangler with extensive front-end damage – driven by 45-year-old Matthew Ramsey, of Corning – in the west ditch.

Corning Medics were able to enter through the front passenger window to treat Coffman-Sayre while Corning Fire cut and removed the front drivers door of the Acura, to successfully extract the man. A medical Helicopter was requested, but due to the weather conditions (dense fog), was unable to fly. Both drivers suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor, and were transported by ambulance to the hospital.

An investigation determined Coffman-Sayre was traveling north on Highway 148 when he attempted to pass another vehicle in the heavy fog. He was unable to see Ramsey’s SUV traveling southbound on Highway 148. The car and Jeep collided head-on. The sheriff’s department say Highway 148 was shut down for a short period of time due to the low visibility of the fog, and to allow emergency crews to safely treat the patients, and for crews to remove the vehicles off the roadway.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office thanks to Corning Fire, Corning Ambulance, and Adams Co EMA for their assistance.