On Monday November 9, 2015 at 3:05 pm, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle accident at 350th St. and 480th Ave., northeast of Emmetsburg. A 2014 Toyota Tundra, driven by Paul William Dietrich (84) of Emmetsburg, was eastbound crossing the intersection of 350th St. and 480th Ave. when he was struck by Eric Carl Bruhn, (29) of Cylinder, as he was driving northbound in a 1995 Freightliner Semi with trailer. Bruhn was approaching the intersection of 350th St. on 480th Ave when the Dietrich vehicle pulled away from a stop sign at the intersection. Bruhn tried stopping but collided with Dietrich sending Dietrich into the northeast ditch. Dietrich was transported by ambulance to the Palo Alto County Hospital for what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Bruhn was uninjured in the accident. It was determined that Dietrich failed to yield to the right of way of the Bruhn vehicle.
The damage to the Dietrich vehicle is estimated at $20,000. The damage to the Bruhn vehicle is estimated at $35,000. Both vehicles are considered a total loss.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Palo Alto County Ambulance and Emmetsburg Fire Department.