One Dead in Highway 61 Dubuque County Crash: Names Released

Authorities have released the names of those involved in Monday evening’s fatal crash on Highway 61 southbound out of Dubuque. The accident left a Canadian truck driver dead and a Maquoketa woman injured.

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According to the release from the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occured at about 6:11 PM on August 11th, 2025, just north of the Buncombe Road intersection. Investigators determined that Jayesth Paul, 26, of Canada, had pulled his semi-truck onto the shoulder of the highway to check and secure his load. While he was outside the vehicle, a southbound SUV driven by Kaylynn Knight, 27, of Maquoketa, struck the rear of the semi-trailer and hit Paul.

Emergency crews from the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Dubuque Police Department, and Key West Fire and EMS responded quickly. Paul was found and pronounced dead at the scene. Knight was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and later released. Officials have not reported any additional injuries or charges at this time.

The collision forced the closure of Highway 61 southbound between Skyline Road and Buncombe Road for nearly three hours on Monday evening. The roadway reopened at approximately 9:00 PM after investigators finished documenting the scene and tow operators cleared the wreckage away.

Sheriff Joseph L. Kennedy said the investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released regarding any potential charges or the contributing factors to the incident. Authorities continue to review the evidence to determine the events leading up to the crash. This marks one of the most serious roadway incidents in Dubuque County this year. It alos underscores the dangers of high-speed travel near stopped, pulled over, or disabled vehicles.