RURAL PALO ALTO COUNTY – Two people are dead and several others suffered injuries in a two-vehicle crash in Palo Alto county.
On July 9, 2020 at 9:52 AM, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an unknown injury 2 vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of 460th Avenue and 390th Street. A 2006 Ford Econoline van, driven by Manuel De Jesu Mercado, age 52 of McAllen, Texas, was traveling north in the 4000 block of 460th Avenue. A 2017 Chevy Impala, driven by Alexander McCurdy, age 32 of Sioux Falls, SD., was traveling east in the 4500 block of 390th Street.
As Mercado approached the intersection of 460th Avenue and 390th Street, McCurdy failed to stop at the stop sign and his vehicle struck the Mercado vehicle on the front driver side. Following the impact, Mercado’s vehicle spun out of control and slid into the ditch on the north east corner of the intersection and the vehicle overturned onto the drivers side. McCurdy’s vehicle came to rest just north of Mercado’s vehicle. Both vehicle’s were deemed a total loss.
McCurdy was transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained and later transferred to another hospital.
6 passengers in Mercado’s vehicle were transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained. One passenger from Mercado’s vehicle was later tranfered to Mercy Hospital in Mason City to be treated for injuries sustained. Two passengers in Mercado’s vehicle were pronounced dead at the accident scene and their names are being withheld until notification of family.
An investigation into the accident is ongoing. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, Emmetsburg Fire Department, the Palo Alto County Ambulance Services, and Wickman’s Towing.
