On Wednesday, October 03, 2018 at 3:28 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office investigated a semi tractor roll over at the intersection of 280th Street and 480th Avenue. Following the investigation, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office determined that Blaine Richardson (47) of Algona, was driving a 2017 Freightliner and hauling a livestock trailer full of pigs west on 280th Street and attempting to turn south onto 480th Avenue. While negotiating the turn, Richardson failed to slow his truck and trailer to a reasonable speed, which caused the tractor and livestock trailer to roll. The truck and trailer came to rest on the passenger side on the west shoulder of 480th Avenue.
There were no injuries reported in the accident. The estimated damage to the Freightliner is $75,000. The estimated damage to the livestock trialer is $30,000. The estimated loss of livestock is estimated at $7,500.
Following the investigation, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office cited Blaine Richardson with failure to reduce speed to a reasonable and proper rate, which is a simple misdemeanor.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.