On 4-11-17 at 1:33pm, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office investigated an incident in the 2800-blk of 420 Ave, Graettinger. A 1995 International straight truck driven by Marcus C. Rodriguez age (19) of Hartley and owned by Cooperative Farmers Elevator of Rock Valley, IA., was south bound in the 2800-Blk of 420 Ave and pulled into the Pro Coop Gas Drive. As the vehicle did not have enough speed, Rodrigez clutched and braked, causing the liquid fertilizer to shift and cracked both front and back of the poly tank. Once cracked all 3000 gallons of fertilizer spilled onto the road and ditch.
The roadway was closed for 6 hours to clean the road, for the removal of pooled fertilizer and excavation of soaked soil. Damage to the International was estimated at $4000 dollars.
Assisting at the scene was the City of Graettinger Street Dept., Iowa Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance, Iowa Department of Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Rodriguez was cited for spilling load onto the roadway.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.