On 6/16/2018 at 4:42 p.m., The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a single vehicle accident with unknown injuries located at 340th Street and 400th Avenue. Upon an investigation completed at the scene by the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis owned by Rolanda Fieseler of Ruthven but driven by Hunter Allan Gentry, age 18 of Ruthven, was traveling east in the 3900 block of 400th Street. Prior to meeting another vehicle which was traveling west, Gentry moved his vehicle to the side of the road then lost control. The vehicle driven by Gentry entered the south ditch of 340th Street and continued to travel east until making impact with the embankment of 400th Avenue, causing the vehicle to vault over 400th Avenue, entered the east ditch and struck a utility/power pole.
A passenger in the Gentry vehicle was transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital with possible injuries. Gentry was treated at the scene by the Palo Alto County Health System and then transferred to the Palo Alto County Hospital by personal vehicle. A third passenger, a male juvenile, left the scene prior to emergency personnel arrived.
Damage was estimated at $4000.00 to the Fieseler vehicle and $5000.00 to a utility/power pole owned by Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative. Gentry was issued a citation for failure to maintain control. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene by the Palo Alto County Health System, the Ruthven Fire Department and Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.