Drunk runs through a blocked road

Winneshiek County - After a motor vehicle accident that occurred at 2:57 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2018 on the Pole Line Road, just east of Cresco in Winneshiek County, the road was closed to through traffic. Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Deputies had closed the road for investigation and accident scene clean-up.

At that time, a motorist, Adam Strand, age 34, of Cresco, Iowa was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. According the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department, Strand drove around a fully-lit sheriff’s vehicle parked in the roadway. He then struck a Winneshiek County Deputy, who was attempting to stop him from entering the accident scene. 

Strand continued through the accident scene and then struck a fully-lit emergency management vehicle (Winneshiek County Emergency Management 2011 Ford F250 truck) that was parked blocking the accident scene. Both vehicles sustained minor damages. Strand was under the influence. 

Due to Strand’s level of intoxication he was transported by Howard County Ambulance to Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, and then transferred to Mayo in Rochester. The Winneshiek County Deputy who was struck sustained minor injuries.

All of this took place after the aforementioned accident.

Gerald Ferrie, 64, of Cresco, was traveling west bound, cresting a hill on the Pole Line Road in a 2007 International semi.

At the same time, David Drtina, 76, of Cresco, was pulling two corn wagons with a John Deere Tractor. He had to make a wide right turn, due to the narrow field driveway.

Ferrie saw Drtina and took evasive action by braking and ultimately swerving to the right ditch to avoid colliding with him. Ferrie clipped a culvert under the roadway and rolled onto the right side, spilling the load of corn. Drtina was not part of the collision. No ambulance transport was needed and no citations were issued. 

 These accidents were investigated by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office along with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol. The Cresco Police Department, Cresco Fire and Winneshiek County Emergency Management also responded to the scene and assisted with these cases. The Strand accident remains under investigation and multiple charges are pending.