Larchwood, Iowa — One person was taken to a Sioux Falls hospital and several pigs died as the result of an accident on Friday near Klondike in far western Lyon County.
According to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, a few minutes before 9:10 a.m., Joseph Alan Kumlien of Canton, South Dakota was traveling westbound on 180th Street, or A26. He was driving a 2012 Kenworth semi with a 2015 Wilson livestock trailer fully loaded with pigs. They tell us that Kumlien tried to pass two vehicles when the second in line vehicle tried to pass the first in line vehicle.
The second vehicle was reportedly a 2014 GMC Sierra 2500 pulling a loaded 2020 Big Tex fifth-wheel trailer being operated by Enrique Ham Reimer of Keyes, Oklahoma. The Sheriff’s Office says Reimer collided broadside with the semi and trailer which forced the semi and trailer to enter the ditch.
According to Lyon County Dispatch, Kumlien was taken to Sanford Hospital and University Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
Kumlien’s semi was a total loss including approximately $30,000 worth of pigs. Reimer’s vehicle had minimal damages to the trailer. Other damages at the scene include approximately $600 of damages to a cornfield, approximately $300 of damages to a fence line, and approximately $1500 of damages to a roadside barricade.
The Sheriff’s Office says the Lyon County Ambulance squad, Larchwood Fire Department, Larchwood EMS, Ace Towing Inc., Farmers Co-op Society of Sioux Center, Sioux Valley Rendering, and multiple nearby farmers willing and eager to lend a hand, assisted at the scene.
