Two-vehicle crash near Spirit Lake injures two

Two people were injured as a result of a crash late Friday afternoon on Iowa 9 just west of Spirit Lake.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2008 Ford pickup operated by Andre Araguz, 28, of Estherville was eastbound and had stopped to pick up some cargo that spilled out of the back of the truck. A 2014 Dodge Ram operated by Jed Siegwarth, 31, of Spirit Lake, then came upon the scene and collided with the rear of the pickup operated by Araguz just as he had gotten back inside it. The collision took place at about 3:15 p.m. Friday.

Both drivers were extricated by non-mechanical means and were taken by ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare with minor injuries. Troopers say the sun and snow cover may have camouflaged the stopped truck, preventing Siegwarth from seeing it ahead of time.