Tractor rear ended on HWY. 163

Iowa State Patrol Squad Car

Eric Woodard, 43, of Fremont was charged with failure to maintain control when is Ford Pickup rear ended a tractor around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 20. Woodard was traveling west on highway 163 in the outside lane and did not see a tractor that was traveling ahead of him westward on HWY. 163. The farm tractor was being driven by Christopher Vermeer,34, of Pella. The tractor was pulling a chisel from behind. The tractor was partially on the shoulder and partially on the road. Woodard rear ended the tractor sending the tractor into the north ditch. Woodard pickup then went through the median across the east bound lanes and into the south ditch. The tractor received mild damage to the rear end and Woodard’s pickup was totaled. Christopher Vermeer was not injured and Eric Woodward was transported by ambulance to the Pella Hospital where his condition remains unknown.