On July 7, 2019 at 2:20 a.m. the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a vehicle in the ditch in the 3700 Block of 525th Avenue near Cylinder (North Cylinder Curve). The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office determined a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, registered to Kelly Terpstra (45) of Charles City, IA., was eastbound on 370th Street when it failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The vehicle entered the east ditch, came back on the road and enter the west ditch. The vehicle continue into a field and again crossed the Highway and enter the east ditch where it got stuck.
At approximately 1:51 a.m. before the accident was reported, the Emmetsburg Police Department arrested the registered owner, Kelly Terpstra for public intoxication as he was located walking near the Wild Rose Casino. After an investigation, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office arrested Terpstra for operating while intoxicated 2nd offense, an aggravated misdemeanor and failure to maintain control, a simple misdemeanor. Damage to Terpstra’s vehicle was estimated at $2,000. Terpstra was held in the Palo Alto County Jail until his initial appearance in front of a judge.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.