Iowa State University's Veishea Week Turns Violent After Hundreds Brawl in the Streets, Flip Cars, Down Light Poles

A yearly celebration at Iowa State University took a violent turn on Tuesday night, as students flipped vehicles, brought down light poles and ripped up street signs.

Law enforcement officials in Ames told USA Today that one man sustained serious injuries after he was hit by a falling lamppost.

Ames Police Cmdr. Geoff Huff said officers had the situation under control by about 2:30 a.m., and plan to engage in "serious discussions" on increased police presence on campus while Veishea week, a 7-day school showcase, continues.

"We may have to revisit whether we increase our staffing for the rest of the week, which is something we don't generally have to do for Veishea, but it's probably a discussion we'll have," Huff said.

A crowd of hundreds gathered at Chamberlain and Stanton Avenues by midnight, USA Today reported. Suddenly, two large groups in Campustown expanded into "a bigger problem," blocking streets and rioting through the roadways for more than an hour.

"I think we were kind of surprised it happened," Huff stated. "It's really too bad."

The injured man was rushed to a nearby medical facility, but law enforcement officials were forced to "bully their way" through the horde of students and passerby to reach him.

Veishea week, an open house presentation of Iowa State's various campus community events and groups, has reportedly turned into an all-out, drunken festival in the past three decades.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Iowa State University President Steven Leath expressed his concern about the violent event.

"I was immediately made aware of the situation that began in Campustown shortly before midnight, and have continued to receive information over the past few hours from police and other staff," the statement read. "We are all distraught and disappointed over the events that have unfolded near campus overnight. I can confirm that one of our students has been seriously injured and his condition at this hour...My senior cabinet will convene first thing in the morning to assess this situation and evaluate options for the remainder of our official Veishea activities planned for this week."