2 killed in Parkersburg crash with semi

Two people died in a crash involving a semitrailer truck Friday evening north of Parkersburg, authorities said.

Dennis Bartels, 75, and Sharon Bartels, 73, both of Parkersburg, were killed when their van pulled out in front of a semi at 31508 Iowa Highway 14, just north of Parkersburg, according to an Iowa State Patrol report.

The semi struck the van that Dennis Bartels was driving, according to the report. Gaylen Mulder, 51, of Parkersburg, was driving the semi, and Mulder was not injured.

Just before the crash, Bartels' van had been stopped on the southbound shoulder of Highway 14 as the two got mail out of a mailbox, according to the report. For unknown reasons, Bartels then pulled out onto the roadway, into the path of the semi, resulting in a broadside collision, according to the report.

The Butler County Sheriff's Office, the Iowa Department of Transportation, Parkersburg Police and the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny assisted with this case.