On Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 8:38 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a combine pickup accident in 4000-blk of 460th Avenue south of Emmetsburg. After investigation, it was determined Tyler Harson (24) of Emmetsburg was northbound in a 2013 John Deer S680 combine crossing the Des Moines River. A 2014 GMC pickup, owned and operated by Dennis Theesfeld (28) of Emmetsburg, IA. rear-ended the combine. Theesfeld’s vehicle would climb the guard rail, slide a short distance on the guard rail, before falling into the Des Moines River landing on its wheels.
Both Theesfeld’s vehicle and Harson’s combine are both considered a total loss as a result of the accident. Harson and Theesfeld were checked at the scene by the Emmetsburg Ambulance Service and both declined medical attention. Theesfeld was charged with use of electronic communication device while driving-age 18 or above, and failure to stop in assured clear distance, both charges are simple misdemeanor’s.
Assisting the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Emmetsburg Ambulance Service, Emmetsburg Fire Department, Iowa Department of Transportation, Wickman Towing, and Mitch’s Towing.
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