On 01/24/2021 at 12:53 A.M. the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was called to the 200 block of 4th ST. NW, West Bend, Iowa for a single vehicle accident. A 2000 Buick Regal, owned by Tonia Hoch of Mallard, was negotiating a turn when the vehicle struck a mail box and then a transformer box. The vehicle was being operated by a juvenile at the time of the accident and departed the scene before Deputies arrived. As a result of the investigation the juvenile was charged with minor in possession of alcohol, driving in violation of a minor’s restricted license, duty to report an accident, and driving with an obstructed windshield. The juvenile was subsequently released to a parent.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.