Oelwein Police release information on infraction and vehicle-trailer accident

At 9:30am on April 24, 2026, Oelwein Police charged Allen Griffith Jr., 48, of Oelwein, with Unlawful Disposal upon Public Property.  Griffith was issued a summons to court for the infraction, which originally occurred on April 7, 2026, in the 400 block of 7th Ave SW.

At 6:35pm on April 24, 2026, Oelwein Police responded to a vehicle versus trailer accident in the 900 block of 1st Ave NE.  A black 2011 Chevrolet Impala driven by Joshua James Tafolla, 38, of Independence, was driving northbound on 1st Ave NE when it veered to the right and struck a parked construction trailer owned by Melvin Gingrich Construction of Hazleton.  Initial estimates of damages were $5,000 to the vehicle driven by Tafolla and $500 to the trailer.  Tafolla was assigned fault for the accident.  Oelwein Police were assisted by Midwest Collision and Towing.