Truck driver’s teen son killed in ‘failure to yield’ crash that sparked massive train derailment in Iowa

The Iowa State Patrol (ISP) identified the person killed in a crash involving a semi truck and a train in Poweshiek County, Iowa, on Wednesday.

The crash occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. on June 3, 2026, near Victor, Iowa.

According to ISP, Missouri-based truck driver Michael Orton, 38, was operating a 2015 Kenworth truck southbound on Highway 21 when he “failed to yield” at a railroad crossing and was struck by a westbound train.

Michael Orton’s son Robert Orton, 14, was a passenger in the Kenworth truck when the crash occurred.

Robert Orton died at the scene.

Michael Orton was airlifted from the scene to a hospital.

Troopers said that the train conductor and engineer were hospitalized with minor injuries.

The Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reported that 2 power engines and 17 cars derailed, and that the crash caused significant damage to the railroad tracks.

The semi truck was reportedly hauling a large piece of John Deere equipment when the crash occurred.

The incident remains under investigation, ISP said.

Responding agencies include PCSO, the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, the Victor Fire Department, the Brooklyn Fire Department, the Grinnell Fire Department, the East Poweshiek Ambulance, Montezuma Ambulance, Poweshiek County Emergency Management, Iowa County Emergency Management, and ISP.