On Monday, December 5, at 7:12 a.m., the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 60, one-quarter mile south of Hospers, IA.
Matthew Ryba, age 42, of Merrill, IA, was driving a 2004 Dodge Ram northbound on Highway 60. An Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) employee, Troy Clouse, age 53, of Le Mars, IA, was on duty, seated inside a north-facing, parked, amber lights flashing 2021 Ram pickup, owned by the State of Iowa. The sheriff’s office was assisting the Iowa Department of Transportation in providing traffic control for a previous unrelated motor vehicle accident and was parked behind Clouse when Ryba narrowly missed striking the sheriff’s office patrol vehicle, lost control of his vehicle and struck the rear of the Iowa DOT vehicle.
Clouse reported minor injuries and sought medical attention on his own.
Ryba’s vehicle sustained an estimated $7,000 in damage; the Iowa DOT vehicle sustained approximately $3,000 in damage.
Ryba was cited for failure to yield to emergency an vehicle and failure to have motor vehicle liability insurance.
**The sheriff’s office would like to use this accident as a good opportunity for all motorists: as we enter the winter snow and ice season, always be aware of emergency vehicles, please slow down, be prepared to stop and move over for the responder’s safety at any incident where you encounter flashing lights.