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Story County Sheriff's Office: Des Moines man's medical issue 'likely contributed' to crash, death

The sheriff's office claims the driver was complaining of breathing problems while before the crash.

SHELDAHL, Iowa — A man who died after having a medical emergency while driving in Sheldahl Tuesday afternoon has been identified, according to the Story County Sheriff's Office.

43-year-old Joel Potter, of Des Moines, was driving a box truck registered to Starco Inc. when he slowed in the middle of the road near the intersection of Boone Street and North Street before accelerating off into a ditch, witnesses said. 

Potter's vehicle hit the corner of a garage, a tree and a storage shed on its way into the ditch.

The sheriff's office claims Potter was complaining of breathing problems while on his delivery route. 

They believe a "medical issue likely contributed to the crash and death of the driver."

The sheriff's office has not yet released exact cause of death.

Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest.


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