Deputy hospitalized after exposure to anhydrous ammonia

HAWKEYE – A Fayette County deputy was transported to a nearby hospital this morning after she was exposed to an Anhydrous Ammonia leak.

According to Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher, the deputy came upon a male subject stealing Anhydrous Ammonia from a tank at the Fredericksburg cooperative plant located less than a mile north of Hawkeye on W14/Rose Rd at about 9 a.m. Wednesday.

As the deputy attempted to identify and stop the male, the wind shifted, exposing her to a cloud of Anhydrous Ammonia. She was transported to Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union, 112 Jefferson Street, where she was treated and later released, Fisher said.

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office, the Hawkeye Fire Department, and the Iowa State Patrol responded to the scene, he said, and they also called in the Linn County Hazardous Material team.

By 1 p.m., the leak was contained, and Fisher said they are still conducting an investigation. According to Fisher, Anhydrous Ammonia is commonly used in the manufacturing of meth.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late to mid-twenties, balding with a medium build, and wearing a camouflage coat. He is believed to be driving a white Chrysler town car.