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Hartley Man Crashes Vehicle, Automated Call to Sheriff Gets Him OWI

Hartley Man Crashes Vehicle, Automated Call to Sheriff Gets Him OWI

Photo: Saga Communications


Hartley, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — A Hartley man is facing a felony OWI charge after an automated call alerted authorities to a possible accident Tuesday evening.

38-year-old Matthew Harold Ruyter was arrested after O’Brien County authorities received a notification from a cellphone user that had been in a crash.

While a deputy was en route, the cellphone’s location began moving. The deputy eventually located a pickup with no taillights near the intersection of Taft Avenue and 340th Street, southwest of Hartley, and initiated a traffic stop.

Ruyter showed signs of impairment and admitted to authorities he was impaired. According to the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, an open container of vodka and several empty containers were found in the vehicle.

Ruyter is charged with Operating While Under the Influence—third or subsequent offense, which is a felony—as well as possession of an open container of alcohol.

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