Extended auger strikes several overhead electrical lines and causes power outage in Granville – August 31

On Thursday, August 31, at 11:33 a.m., the Sioux County Sheriff’s office investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred along Highway 10 from Monroe Avenue in O’Brien County to Highway 10, west of Granville.

Dennis Schmit, age 61, of Alton, IA, was driving a 1993 Ford pickup pulling a post auger westbound on Highway 10.  Schmit left a post auger on the truck extended in the air and it and struck several Electrical power lines at the various intersections spanning nearly six miles.

The accident caused a power outage that affected the City of Granville and rural areas along the route Schmit traveled.

No injuries were reported.

Damage to the power lines was estimated at $5,000.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Granville Fire Department and Granville Ambulance.