(Spirit Lake)– A collision late Friday afternoon on Highway 9 just west of Spirit Lake sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries.
The Iowa State Patrol says 28-year-old Andre Araguz of Estherville was driving a 2008 Ford pickup eastbound and had stopped to pick up some cargo that spilled out of the back of the truck. Troopers say a 2014 Dodge Ram, driven by 31-year-old Jed Siegwarth of Spirit Lake, came upon the scene and collided with the rear of the pickup driven by Araguz just as he had gotten back inside it. Both drivers were taken by ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare.
$10,000 in damage was estimated to the Ford pickup driven by Araguz; the Dodge Ram driven by Siegwarth was totaled.
No citations were issued. Troopers say the sun and snow cover may have camouflaged the stopped truck, which is white in color, preventing Siegwarth from seeing it ahead of time. They add it appears the fact both drivers were wearing their seatbelts likely prevented more serious injury or death.
The collision took place around 3:15 pm Friday.
