On 2/26/2019 at 8:44 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an accident involving an overturned semi located at the intersection of 280th Street and 380th Avenue. Upon an investigation at the scene, it was determined that a 2007 Peterbilt hauling a 2019 Walinga feed trailer owned by Thilges Bros. LLC but driven by Troy Donald Hanson, age 52 of Leland, IA, was traveling west on 280th Street and approaching the intersection of 280th Street and 380th Avenue. Hanson attempted to turn the tractor and trailer north onto 380th Avenue however due to the length of both units, the trailer dropped off the roadway and into the snow packed ditch area. The 2019 Walinga trailer was completely loaded with hog feed at the time which caused the weight to shift and eventually overturning the tractor and trailer onto its passenger side. As a result of the trailer coming to rest in the ditch area of the roadway, a street sign owned by Palo Alto County was damaged. Hanson was checked by medical personnel at the scene. Damage is estimated at $20,000 on the 2007 Peterbilt and 2019 Walinga trailer. Damage to the street sign is estimated at $150.00. The accident is still under investigation by the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Palo Alto County Health System and the Graettinger Fire Department.