On Thursday, September 05, 2019, at 12:45 pm, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office investigated a three vehicle accident at the intersection of 420th Avenue and 360th Street (Hwy 4 and Hwy 18). Following the investigation, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office determined that Taylor Atkinson (22) of Onawa was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu east in the 4100 block of 360th Street and starting to turn north onto 420th Ave (Hwy 4). Atkinson failed to yeild to an oncoming vehicle traveling in the west bound lane, which was a 2013 Ford Cmax driven by Nancy Ketcham (63) of Spencer. Ketcham’s vehicle struck the back passenger side quarter panel of Atkinson’s vehicle, causing Atkinson’s vehicle to spin. During the spin, Atkinson’s vehicle collided with and came to rest against the front end of a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Alysha Pettyjohn (24) of Estherville, which was stopped, facing south, at the stop sign at the Hwy 4 and Hwy 18 intersection. Atkinson and two other passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated by medical personnel. Ketcham sustained minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. Pettyjohn did not receive any injuries in the accident. Atkinson and Ketcham’s vehicles were deemed a total loss in the accident. Pettyjohn’s vehicle sustained an estimated $1,000.00 in the accident. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office cited Taylor Atkinson with failure to yield right of way while making a left turn and failure to provide proof of financial liability – accident related, which are both simple misdemeanors. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Emmetsburg Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Palo Alto County Ambulance Service, and the Emmetsburg Fire Department.
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