A 19-year-old Altoona man—identified as Zachary Schott Scothorn—tragically died in a wrong‑way crash on Interstate 80 near Johnston, Iowa, in the early hours of Friday, August 15, 2025, at around 1:35 a.m.

A 19-year-old Altoona man—identified as Zachary Schott Scothorn—tragically died in a wrong‑way crash on Interstate 80 near Johnston, Iowa, in the early hours of Friday, August 15, 2025, at around 1:35 a.m., when he was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes and collided with another vehicle https://www.wowt.com.

Key details:

• The crash happened near Johnston (Polk County).

• Scothorn’s vehicle collided head-on with one car, which then became disabled and was struck by a third vehicle https://www.wowt.com.

• Scothorn suffered fatal injuries, was not wearing a seat belt, and was pronounced at the scene; his body was taken to the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office https://www.wowt.com.

• The other drivers and passengers were injured, but they were wearing seat belts and were transported to Mercy Hospital by Altoona EMS https://www.wowt.com.

• The Iowa State Patrol confirmed the crash remains under investigation https://www.wowt.com.

Summary

• Victim: Zachary Schott Scothorn, 19, of Altoona, Iowa.

• Location: Interstate 80 near Johnston, Polk County.

• Time & Date: About 1:35 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2025.

• Circumstances: Wrong-way driver in eastbound lanes collided head-on; subsequent chain-reaction crash.

• Outcome: Scothorn died; others injured.

• Investigation: Ongoing by Iowa State Patrol.