2 Who Died In West Des Moines Crash Sunday Have Been Identified

WEST DES MOINES, IA — Police have identified the two people killed early Sunday when a driver heading the wrong way on Interstate 35 crashed head-on into an oncoming vehicle. The drivers of both vehicle were killed.

West Des Moines police said Monte Johnson, 49, of Hartford was traveling south in the northbound lanes on the interstate when he collided with a northbound vehicle driven by Nripin Chinni, 32, of West Des Moines. A passenger in Chinni's vehicle, Durga Papina, 27, of West Des Moines, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Police said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation and more information will be released when it is available.

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The accident happened in the 1600 block shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday. The crash closed the interstate for a time.

West Des Moines Police were assisted at the scene by Urbandale, Des Moines, Norwalk and Clive Police and the Iowa State Patrol.

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