In an update to our earlier post, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office early this (Saturday) morning, confirmed one person died in a head-on crash on Highway 59, just outside of Harlan, Friday evening. The Shelby County Communications Center received a call at 5:58-p.m., Friday, about a two vehicle accident in the 1100 block of Highway 59.

An initial investigation showed that a 2003 Buick Park Avenue was traveling southbound on Highway 59, while a 2018 Chevy pickup was traveling northbound pulling a camper. The Buick Park Avenue crossed the centerline and struck the pickup head on. Both vehicles came to rest on the west shoulder of the roadway after the collision.

The driver of the Park Avenue, 75 year old Albert Carlson of Kirkman, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by mechanical means. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Shelby County Medical Examiner. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle were not injured.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Harlan Fire and Rescue, Harlan Police Department, Medivac Ambulance, Shelby County Emergency Management, Iowa DOT, and the Pauley Jones Funeral Home. The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.