(Estherville)—An Estherville man faces several charges when a pickup he was driving collided with a bridge on a county road about a quarter of a mile south of Estherville.
The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to the scene shortly after 11:00 p.m. last Thursday. Upon investigating, deputies determined 23-year-old Austin Schmaus of Estherville had been driving a 2005 Ford pickup southbound when he lost control and collided with the east side of a cement bridge. The pickup then traveled across the road, coming to rest in the west ditch.
A passenger, Kyle Smith of Armstrong, sustained minor injuries but didn’t seek immediate treatment.
Authorities say Schmaus fled the scene on foot and was gone by the time deputies arrived. He was located about three hours after the crash and was taken by private vehicle to Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville where he was treated for some minor injuries and released.
Schmaus was cited for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, possessing an open container of alcohol as a driver; and failure to maintain control.
The pickup was totaled.
The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Estherville Police Department.
