PALO ALTO COUNTY, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — A three-vehicle crash during blizzard conditions on Highway 18 led to one injury Sunday night.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched around 10:55 p.m. to the 4900 block of 370th Street near Cylinder following a report of multiple vehicles stuck in a snow drift, making the roadway impassable.
Authorities say a MidAmerican Energy Ford F-550 service truck was traveling westbound when it became stuck across a bridge, blocking traffic. An eastbound 2001 Ford Ranger, driven by Karen Sporaa of Britt, also became stuck in the drift.
A third vehicle, a 2018 Chevy Trax driven by Wesley Popejoy of Bode, was traveling eastbound and was unable to see the two stopped vehicles due to extremely hazardous blizzard conditions. The Chevy Trax struck the MidAmerican service truck before colliding with the rear of the Ford Ranger.
A passenger in the Ford Ranger was evaluated by EMS for minor injuries.
The MidAmerican service truck and the Ford Ranger sustained minor damage and were cleared from the roadway. The Chevy Trax sustained major damage and was also removed from the scene.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Emmetsburg Police Department, Palo Alto County Ambulance Service, MidAmerican Energy, and the Iowa Department of Transportation.