On 09/11/2016 at 1:15 p.m. the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an accident located at 390th Street and 525th Avenue in Cylinder. The reported indicted that multiple motorcycles were involved and that the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident had left the scene. A description of the vehicle was given and with the assistance of the Emmetsburg Police Department the suspect vehicle was located and stopped.
Brianna Mae Holstad of Lake Mills, was traveling westbound on 390th Street and was attempting to traverse the curve. Holstad was driving at a higher rate of speed then necessary to traverse the curve, causing her to cross the center line into oncoming traffic. Holstad’s actions caused a red 2014 Harley Davidson, driven by Dorthy Marie Neubauer of Clear Lake, and a black 2004 Honda, driven by Luann Rene Erdman of Belmond, to take evasive action in order to avoid being struck by the Holstad vehicle. In doing so, both Neubauer and Erdman laid the motorcycles onto their side. A third motorcycle, a 2014 Honda driven by Calista Ann of Belmond took evasive action as well but was able to avoid the accident. Erdman sustained minor injuries and refused treatment. Neubauer received non-life threating injuries and was transported by ambulance to Palo Alto County Hospital.
Holstad was issued citations for Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, a serious misdemeanor and Failure to Yield Half the Roadway, a simple misdemeanor as a result of the accident.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Emmetsburg Police Department, Cylinder Fire Department, and Palo Alto County Ambulance Service.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.