(Emmetsburg)– An investigation by Palo Alto county authorities late Monday night into a report of a suspicious person resulted in citations being issued against a Graettinger man.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called around 11:30 pm to 4270 360th Street near Emmetsburg. They were told a man had walked to that address and stated that he was stuck in a field. Deputies searched the location and found a 2002 Dodge Caravan in a field southeast of that address. The driver had fled prior to deputies arriving.
Upon investigating authorities determined the vehicle was registered to 70-year-old Timothy Murphy of Graettinger and that he had been driving the van westbound when he swerved to avoid some deer. The vehicle went into the ditch and traveled about 225 feet before crossing over the road and going into the opposite ditch. It then traveled into a corn field for about 325 feet and got stuck.
Murphy was cited for driving while suspended and failure to maintain control.
