WASHINGTON CO. – A Salem man sustained non-life-threatening injuries on Friday, June 20, after the farm tractor he was operating reportedly veered off the road due to a steering malfunction.
Emergency services were dispatched to the intersection of Kansas Church Road and Posey Chapel Road following reports of a tractor having left the roadway and ejected its operator. The injured operator was identified as Gerald Hochstetler, 60, of Salem.
According to investigating officer Captain Joseph Keltner, Hochstetler told responders that he was traveling south on Kansas Church Road when the steering wheel separated from the tractor. This mechanical failure caused the tractor to go off the roadway and crash.
Hochstetler was transported to Floyd County Hospital by the Washington County Ambulance Service for treatment of his injuries.
Captain Keltner was assisted at the scene by members of the Livonia and Blue River Volunteer Fire Departments.
