Palo, Iowa Man Drives Gator into the Cedar River

Authorities are trying to figure out if a man was intoxicated when he drove an All Terrain Vehicle over a ten foot embankment, into a river.

The accident happened just before 10pm Monday (Sept. 21), on Linn Drive in Palo.

A John Deere Gator, operated by 49 year old Sean Belk of Palo, went over a ten foot embankment along the Cedar River. Belk was thrown off onto the river bank. The Gator continued into the river.

Belk was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

According to the Linn County Sheriff's Office, Belk was not wearing a helmet, and he was the only one on the vehicle.

The sheriff's office is investigating to see if Belk was intoxicated at the time of the accident.