(Spencer)– A pizza delivery driver had to be rescued Sunday evening after she and the vehicle she was driving wound up in the Little Sioux River near Spencer.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says 25-year-old Therese Reinholt of Spencer was driving a delivery van owned by the Pizza Ranch and was crossing a bridge over the Little River on 210th Avenue when she lost control. Deputies say Reinholt over-corrected, causing the vehicle to go into the east Ditch and eventually into the Little Sioux River.
Authorities say Reinholt couldn’t get out the driver’s side door due to the current. She finally managed to crawl through the passenger’s side window. Reinholt then got on the hood of the vehicle and was able to jump toward the river bank before the vehicle became submerged.
Crews with Spencer Fire and Rescue were called to the scene and rescued Reinholt. She was taken by ambulance to Spencer Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and for exposure to the cold water and air temperatures.
Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow says the vehicle was totally submerged when crews arrived on the scene and that it wasn’t located until today (Monday) by a lakes area dive team in about 12 of water. Crews spent most of the afternoon pulling it out.
Krukow says Reinholt was extremely fortunate to have gotten out of the vehicle before the current pulled it under.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Spencer Police Department, Spencer Fire and Rescue, and the Spencer Hospital ambulance and paramedics.
The incident took place around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
