On February 3, 2021, at 8:15 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Ford Emergency, advising of a vehicle accident in the 3500 block of 340th Avenue near Ruthven. Upon investigation it was discovered a 2019 Ford F-150 truck being operated by Heather De Jong, (47) of Ruthven was southbound on 340th Avenue when a deer exited the ditch and ran into the passenger side of the pickup. As a result of the impact, the air bags were deployed inside the vehicle. Heather De Jong complained of possible injuries at the scene and would be transported by personal vehicle to the hospital to be checked for injuries. A passenger in the vehicle was not injured. Damage to the F-150 pickup was estimated at $10,000.
Assisting the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Ruthven Fire Department and Ruthven Ambulance Service.