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Palo Alto Co Crash Claims Teen

November 22, 2014

(Emmetsburg)– A two-vehicle crash over the weekend in Palo Alto county claimed the life of a teen and sent two others to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Iowa State Patrol says a passenger in one of the vehicles, 18-year-old Christopher Gearhart of West Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drivers of the two vehicles, 17-year-old Wyatt Wirtz of Mallard and 17-year-old Melinda Bruellman of Ottosen, were taken by ambulance to the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg. They were then life-flighted to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City.

Troopers say Wirtz was westbound on 485th Street and failed to stop for a stop sign at 570th Avenue, colliding with the vehicle driven by Bruellman.

Charges are pending in connection with the crash that took place around 12:18 a.m. Saturday.