A single-car accident shut down Mortensen Parkway between Beach and Ash avenues Wednesday night.

Lt. Tom Shelton of the Ames Police Department said the car was traveling eastbound when it lost control and went off the road about 10:15 p.m. A passenger was thrown from the car. Both the driver and passenger were taken by helicopters to Des Moines.

The westbound lanes were opened around 11:30 p.m., and the eastbound lanes remain closed. The police department said the eastbound lanes could be closed for several more hours.