The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office investigated a two-vehicle collision that occurred March 15 in Sanborn at the intersection of Highways 18 and 59 North.
According to the report, at 11:55 a.m. Alec Jeffrey Harmeling, age 24 of Milford, was driving southbound on Highway 59 (Roosevelt Ave) and stopped at the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 18 (320th St.). Harmeling, driving a 2020 Chevrolet Express cargo van, stated that he looked both ways and did not see any other vehicle driving eastbound or westbound on Highway 18. Harmeling, after looking both ways, began using an electronic communication device and then entered the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 18. The van then struck a 1999 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Anton Lawrence Klein, age 42 of Hartley, as Klein was driving eastbound through the intersection. The pickup came to rest in the south ditch of Highway 18, north of Prairie View.
Harmeling stated that he experienced pain in his leg but refused medical attention. Klein stated that he experienced pain in his back but he also refused medical attention.
The cargo van sustained approximately $30,000 worth of damage while damages to Klein’s pickup were estimated at $20,000.
Harmeling was cited for failure to yield upon entering through roadway and for use of electronic communication device.