Deputy Struck By Drunk Driver at Accident Scene

A Northeast Iowa law enforcement officer has been struck by a motorist, who was attempting to drive through a previous accident scene.

The incident happened at about 3pm Tuesday (Oct. 30) on Pole Line Road in Orleans Township in rural Winneshiek County, just east of the Howard County line.

It began when a semi, driven by 64 year old Gerald Ferrie of Cresco, swerved to avoid a tractor driven by 76 year old David Drtina of Cresco. The semi went into the ditch, clipped a culvert, and rolled onto it's side, spilling it's load of corn. No one was injured.

As deputies were cleaning up the accident scene, another motorist, 34 year old Adam Strand, drove around the sheriff's vehicle that was blocking the road; the squad car had it's emergency lights on.

Strand's SUV then struck a Winneshiek County deputy, who tried to stop him from going farther into the accident scene.

Then Strand struck a fully lit emergency management vehicle that was blocking the other side of the accident site. He was reportedly driving under the influence.

The deputy, who was not identified, was not seriously hurt.

Due to the level of Strand's intoxication, he was taken to the Cresco hospital, then transferred to Mayo in Rochester for treatment.

The incident is still under investigation, and multiple charges are pending