(Emmetsburg)– A two-vehicle collision earlier today (Thurs.) in Palo Alto county claimed two lives and injured several others.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says a 2006 Ford Econoline van driven by 52-year-old Manuel De Jesu Mercado of McAllen, Texas was northbound in the 4000 block of 460th Avenue and 32-year-old Alexander McCurdy of Sioux Falls was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Impala eastbound in the 4500 block of 390th Street. Authorities say McCurdy pulled into the intersection and the two collided. The impact caused the vehicle driven by Mercado to spin out of control. It slid into the ditch on the northeast corner of the intersection and flipped onto the driver’s side. McCurdy’s vehicle came to rest just north of Mercado’s vehicle.
McCurdy was taken to the Palo Alto County Hospital and was later transferred to another hospital. Six passengers in the vehicle driven by Mercado were taken to the Palo Alto County Hospital. One of them was later transferred to Mercy Hospital in Mason City. Two other passengers in the vehicle driven by Mercado were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names were being withheld pending notification of relatives.
Authorities say the crash happened shortly before 10:00 am and that it remains under investigation.
The Iowa State Patrol, Emmetsburg Fire Department, and Palo Alto County Ambulance Service assisted on the scene.
