North Platte Post
Lincoln County - Law enforcement responds to three vehicle accident near Hershey Thursday morning.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), around 7:30am, deputies and EMS were dispatched to MM 165 on Highway 30 which is near Hershey. Reports came in that three vehicles were involved in a accident and injuries had occurred.
As law enforcement arrived on scene, Hershey EMS were removing the driver from a Ford pickup truck. The truck sustained heavy front-end damage, and the driver was trapped inside the truck according to officials.
Investigation shows that 23-year-old Hailey Falkena of North Platte was traveling westbound in her 2007 Trailblazer when she noticed a vehicle quickly approaching her from behind. Falkena was concerned the vehicle was going to hit her but the passing vehicle, a 2002 Jeep Liberty pulled out to pass her.
According to the press release from the LCSO, an eastbound 1993 Ford pickup truck being driven by 58-year-old Daniel Richardson of Sutherland was hit nearly head on. The Jeep skid into a ditch and rolled onto its top.
Officials say the Jeep was being driven by a 14-year-old with a school permit who was heading to band practice. The two vehicles that were involved in the collision veered into the path of Falkena's vehicle, causing damage to the front of the vehicle.
Falkena did not have any serious injuries from the incident. Richardson possibly had a broken leg and possibly a broken hip along with facial injuries. LCSO says the 14-year-old sustained a fractured neck from the accident. Highway 30 had to be closed for both eastbound and westbound traffic for an hour.