No charges to be filed in tree-trimming death in Mason City

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The death of a Mason City man found in the street in August has been ruled an accident.

The Globe Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/2hzoDSK ) Mason City Police Lt. Rich Jensen said Wednesday that 65-year-old Dennis Mertz was trying to free a tree branch when he fell on Aug. 11.

Mertz fell from a ladder onto the street in the path of tractor-trailer truck, and the back tires of the truck’s trailer ran over him.

The truck’s driver, 54-year-old Kevin Casad of Kincaid, Illinois, told police he saw Mertz fall and stopped to help.

Jensen says no charges will be filed against Casad.

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Information from: Globe Gazette, http://www.globegazette.com/