On October 25, 2020, at 1:17 a.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a motor vehicle accident with injuries in the 3800 block 280th Street near Graettinger. It was determined a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, owned and operated by Timothy James Ludwig (52) of Terril, IA, was westbound in the 3800 block of 280th Street when he lost control of the vehicle and entered the south ditch. Ludwig’s vehicle struck the ditch embankment near a field causing the vehicle to go airborne. Ludwig’s vehicle would come to rest in the south ditch.
Ludwig was transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital with incapacitating injuries. Ludwig’s vehicle was deemed a total loss as a result of the accident. Investigation into the accident is ongoing and criminal charges are pending.
Assisting the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Graettinger Ambulance Service, Emmetsburg Ambulance Service, and Wickman Towing.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.