1-11-2017
As a result of a four (4) month long investigation into a traffic accident that occurred on 9/26/2016 in the 4400 Block of 380th Avenue, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged Joseph Michael Ackerman Jr., age 36 of Peterson, on valid Palo Alto County Warrants of:
Operating while Intoxicated (OWI) 3rd Offense- A Class D Felony
Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle- A Class D Felony
Carrying Weapons- An Aggravated Misdemeanor
Operating a Motor Vehicle without Registration- A Simple Misdemeanor
Fail of Proof of Security Against Liability (No Insurance)- A Simple Misdemeanor
Driving While License Suspended- A Simple Misdemeanor
Failure to Maintain Control- A Simple Misdemeanor
Ackerman was the driver of a Chevy Blazer that crossed the center line and vaulted over a cement culvert. This caused the Blazer to go airborne, strike a creek embankment, flip and then came to rest on the driver side. Ackerman and a passenger; Brianna Laubenthal(27) of Spencer, were extricated from the vehicle by mechanical means and both were then airlifted to hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
Ackerman was not able to post the $10,000.00 bond and was jailed.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this arrest.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.