Paullina, Iowa — A Paullina man was taken to the hospital Thursday morning, after being rear-ended by a tractor-trailer rig near Paullina.
The Iowa State Patrol says that about 9:40 Thursday (June 16th) morning, a 2014 John Deere tractor, pulling two grain wagons, driven by 67-year old Michael Rabe of Paullina, was eastbound on Highway 10 on the outskirts of Paullina, when he was struck in the rear by a 2006 Peterbilt tractor-trailer rig, driven by 40-year old Lance Fluit of Rock Valley, which was also eastbound.
Troopers say Fluit’s semi rear-ended the second grain wagon, causing a chain reaction, which caused the tractor to tip over onto it’s right side in the eastbound lane of Highway 10, while parts of the first grain wagon came to rest on the westbound lane and in the south ditch, with the second grain wagon ending up completely in the south ditch. According to the report, Fluit’s semi continued down Highway 10 approximately 50 yeards, before hitting a guardrail, coming to rest against the guardrail on the westbound shoulder.
Troopers say Rabe was taken to the Orange City Health System Hospital by the Paullina Ambulance following the crash. Fluit escaped injury.
Fluit was charged with Failure To Maintain Control, according to the report. Damage to Rabe’s tractor and grain wagons was estimated at $20-thousand dollars, with damage to Fluit’s tractor-trailer estimated at $60-thousand.
The Paullina Fire Department and Paullina Ambulance assisted at the scene.
