A three-vehicle incident resulted in two injuries Thursday afternoon in Kalona.

Agencies responded to the intersection of 7th Street and E Avenue, or Highway 22, at about 3:33 p.m., and after speaking with two witnesses of the incident, it was determined that two pickup trucks driven by Connor Shalla of Wellman and Keegan Gingerich of Kalona were stopped on E Avenue facing eastbound, when the drivers were observed to initiate a drag race, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Both pickup trucks accelerated in an excessive manner traveling eastbound through the intersection. A third pickup truck driven by Alma Herrera of Kalona was traveling southbound through the intersection when it was struck on the rear, passenger side axle area by Shalla’s vehicle. The force of the collision ripped the rear axle off and caused the third pickup to make a 90-degree turn, eventually coming to rest outside of the roadway.

Two children passengers in the third truck were privately transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of injuries. Shalla and Gingerich were cited for drag racing causing serious bodily injury, and Herrera’s vehicle was totaled. The sheriff’s office noted that at the time of the incident is when the four-way stop lights are flashing red and a designated Mid-Prairie School District crossing guard is physically present. Washington County Ambulance Service, Kalona Fire and Rescue, and Earl’s Towing Service assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation. KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.