EMMETSBURG – A drunk driver was nabbed by police after leaving the scene of an accident near Emmetsburg.
On Sunday, December 3, 2017, at 8:56 PM, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle being rear ended by another vehicle in the 4200 block of 460th Avenue (Hwy 4). Following an investigation into the report, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office determined that Kelsy Miller (25), from Emmetsburg, was driving a 2005 Ford Explorer northbound in the 4200 block of 460th Avenue. A 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Alejandro Barajas Morales (31), of Spirit Lake, was following Miller’s vehicle and subsequently collided with the back end of Miller’s vehicle while both vehicles were traveling northbound. Morales then left the scene of the accident and was eventually stopped by the Emmetsburg Police Department in the city limits of Emmetsburg.
While investigating the accident, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office investigated Morales for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Following the investigation by the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office arrested Alejandro Barajas Morales for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated 1st offense, which is a serious misdemeanor. Morales was also cited for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and failure to maintain a reasonable and proper speed, which are simple misdemeanors.
There were no injuries reported in the accident. There is an estimated $1,000.00 damage to Miller’s vehicle and an estimated $2,500.00 damage to Morales’s vehicle.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
