DES MOINES, Polk County, Iowa, Nov. 2, 2026 — A 76-year-old woman died on Monday morning, November 2, after her car left East University Avenue, crashed into a parked truck in a hospital parking lot and caught fire, according to the Des Moines Police Department.
The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. near UnityPoint Iowa Lutheran Hospital at 700 East University Avenue. A preliminary investigation, which included witness statements and an examination of the scene, indicates a 2018 Ford Escape was heading eastbound on East University Avenue when it crossed into the westbound lanes. The vehicle then continued north, left the roadway and entered the hospital parking lot, where it struck trees and an unoccupied parked truck.
The Escape came to a stop at that point and caught fire. The impact reportedly pushed the parked truck into the roadway on Pennsylvania Avenue, where it struck a second, southbound vehicle. The driver of that vehicle was treated at a nearby hospital for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Bystanders pulled the woman driving the Escape from the burning car and got her to a nearby emergency room. She died despite efforts to save her. Des Moines Fire Department personnel responded to the scene along with police.
The crash remains under investigation by the DMPD Traffic Unit. Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life, and we wish the injured driver a full recovery.
Crash Reports and Road Safety in Des Moines, IA
This fatal crash happened on 700 East University Avenue in Des Moines, IA. Anyone involved in a crash in Des Moines usually needs a copy of the police report, and our Des Moines, IA crash reports and road safety guide explains how to request one and what the latest local crash figures show.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal-crash investigations usually take?
Traffic units commonly need several weeks to finish reconstructing a fatal crash, since they review scene evidence, witness accounts and vehicle data before issuing final findings.
What makes a crash more likely to turn fatal?
Speed, the angle and force of impact, whether a vehicle leaves the roadway, and whether fire or entrapment follows the initial collision can all raise the risk of death, though each case depends on its own circumstances.
Where do fatal crashes most frequently happen?
They can occur on any roadway, but intersections, parking areas and spots where a vehicle unexpectedly crosses into oncoming lanes are common settings for serious crashes.
