On Sunday March 6, 2016 at 4:43 am, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office responded to a head-on collision in the 4100 block of Highway 18 west of Emmetsburg. A 2005 Audi A4, driven by Gage Allan Puterbaugh (22) of Ruthven, IA, was westbound on Highway 18 when he collided with a 2007 Peterbuilt Semi Tractor Trailer driven by Scott Gregory Rouse (45) of Terril, IA who was eastbound on Highway 18. Puterbaugh drifted into the eastbound lane and onto the shoulder and then corrected back into the westbound lane. Rouse tried to avoid the collision and steered toward the westbound lane while the Audi was coming towards him. The two vehicles collided in the westbound lane.
The Audi sustained an estimated $10,000 damage which rendered the vehicle a total loss. The Peterbuilt sustained an estimated $6,000 damage. Both vehicles were towed away from the scene.
Puterbaugh was transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital by ambulance. He sustained what is believed to be minor / non incapacitating injuries. Rouse is believed to be uninjured.
Circumstances of the accident are still under investigation.