Driver Whose Pickup Snapped Off Light Pole in Downtown Charles City Identified

Authorities have identified the driver of a pickup that ran into and snapped off a street light in downtown Charles City last week.

The wreck occurred around 12:45 pm May 21st, with the truck striking the street light pole just south of the intersection of North Main and Clark streets. Charles City Police Chief Hugh Anderson says the southbound truck then continued up onto the sidewalk before colliding with the outside of the law offices of Elwood, O’Donohoe, Braun and White.

A witness reported that the truck was still running after it hit the building and someone had to reach in to turn the ignition off.

Anderson said the truck had to be pulled back away from the building to allow EMT staff from AMR Ambulance to administer medical attention to the man, now identified as 89-year-old Harlyn Kolb of Charles City. Anderson said Kolb ofwas conscious when he was loaded into the ambulance. No one else was in the truck.

Prior to striking the street light and storefront, Kolb’s truck veered into the northbound lane in the 200 block of North Main Street, clipped an oncoming car, then continued through the Clark Street intersection.

Video footage captured on the downtown street cameras of KCHA Radio show Kolb’s truck traveling on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing another northbound vehicle which had stopped at the intersection for a red light. The truck can then be seen snapping off the street lamp post before colliding with the building.

The crash caused Main Street to be closed from Clark Street to Riverside Drive for about 45 minutes.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Floyd County Emergency Management, Charles City Street Department, and Charles City Fire Rescue also assisted at the scene.