Two Ditch Accidents Result in Two Separate Arrests

Two Northeast Iowa residents were arrested, after authorities received two separate reports of vehicles in ditches, one of them on fire.

Shortly after 1:30pm Friday (Nov. 13), the Fayette County Sheriff was alerted to a vehicle fire in the 1,000 block of 90th Street, north of Arlington. Following an investigation, the driver, 47 year old Stephanie Harmdierks of Arlington, was taken into custody for Operating While Intoxicated-1st Offense, Failure to Maintain Control, and No Valid Driver's License.
Harmdierks' vehicle was totaled.

And, at about 8:30pm Friday, the sheriff received a report of a vehicle in the ditch, in the 23,000 block of Quarry Road, north of Hawkeye. 51 year old Russel Kocher of Hawkeye had lost control of his SUV, and drove into the ditch. Kocher was arrested on charges of Operating While Intoxicated-1st Offense, and Failure to Maintain Control.