On April 19, 2019 at 4:19 a.m. the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a single vehicle car accident in the 4300-Block of 280th Street near Graettinger, IA. It was reported the vehicle had caught on fire and a subject was trapped inside the vehicle.
A 2003 GMC Yukon Denali, registered to Jacob Schmitt (25) of Graettinger, was westbound in the 4300-Block of 280th Street when he crossed the center line and entered the south ditch, causing the vehicle to roll several times before coming to rest on its wheels. A passerby observed the vehicle in the field, which had caught on fire, called 911 and assisted Schmitt out of the vehicle before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Schmitt was transported to Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville by the Graettinger Ambulance Service for non-incapacitating injuries. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Graettinger Fire Department, Graettinger Ambulance Service, and Palo Alto County Ambulance Service. The accident remains under investigation and the vehicle was a total loss.