On 08/07/2021 at 3:51 am, a passerby called the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office to report a single vehicle accident that happened in the 5400 block of 475th street. A 2009 Ford F350 owned by Ryan Fehr of West Bend and operated by Gideon Nel of Mallard, was west bound in the 5400 block of 475th street when the driver lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle entered the north ditch. The vehicle continued into the ditch, where it struck a field drive and went airborne. As the vehicle landed, it flipped end over end and subsequently came to rest on it’s passenger side.
Kobus Kleyngeld, a passenger in the vehicle, was transported to Kossuth County Regional Hospital by personal vehicle to be treated for a serious injury. Nel and another passenger Marica Vahrhyn, were taken home by personal vehicle and later located by a Palo Alto County Deputy. Once contact was made, both Nel and Vahrhyn were transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital for injuries sustained in the accident.
Nel was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, Failure to Wear Seatbelt, and Failure to Report a Personal Injury Accident. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted with the investigation by the West Bend Fire Department, West Bend Ambulance Service, Palo Alto County Ambulance Service, Algona Police Department, Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office, and Wickman’s Towing.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.