2 Iowa City Women Injured in Southern Iowa Car Crash

Accident on Interstate 35 leaves two hospitalized after vehicle was pinned between semi and guardrail.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A car crash in southern Iowa has injured two women from Iowa City. The Iowa State Patrol says 20-year-old Ryleigh Rawls was driving a 2014 Chevy Cruz southbound on Interstate 35 in Clarke County when she attempted to merge into the next lane to take the Osceola exit, sideswiping a semi being driven by 40-year-old James Lawrence of Arizona. The accident pinned Rawls' vehicle between the semi and the guardrail, and both Rawls and her 71-year-old passenger Patricia Swartzendruber were transported to nearby hospitals, though their conditions have not been released.

Why it matters

Car accidents on highways are a major public safety concern, especially when they involve larger commercial vehicles like semi-trucks. This incident highlights the risks drivers face when attempting lane changes or exits, and the potential for serious injuries when a smaller vehicle is caught between a large truck and the roadside barriers.

The details

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident occurred just before 1:15 pm on Wednesday as Ryleigh Rawls was driving southbound on Interstate 35 in Clarke County. As Rawls tried to merge into the next lane to take the Osceola exit, she sideswiped the semi being driven by James Lawrence, causing Rawls' Chevy Cruz to become pinned between the semi and the guardrail.

  • The accident occurred just before 1:15 pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Ryleigh Rawls

A 20-year-old woman from Iowa City who was driving the Chevy Cruz involved in the accident.

Patricia Swartzendruber

A 71-year-old woman from Iowa City who was a passenger in the Chevy Cruz.

James Lawrence

A 40-year-old man from Benson, Arizona who was driving the semi-truck involved in the accident.

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The takeaway

This accident underscores the importance of safe driving practices, especially when navigating highway merges and exits. It also highlights the potential dangers that can arise when smaller vehicles interact with large commercial trucks on the roadways.