The Nebraska State Patrol says two people died and several children were injured in a head-on collision Friday night in Sioux County.
NSP officials say at approximately 7:25pm Friday, a westbound pickup pulling a loaded livestock trailer collided head-on with an eastbound pickup, also pulling a loaded livestock trailer, at mile marker 14 on Highway 20, east of Harrison.
The westbound vehicle was driven by Ruth Smathers, 67, of Lost Springs, Wyoming. The eastbound vehicle was driven by Nanna Flesch, 42, of Shelby, Montana. Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Flesch’s three children were also in the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. One child was ejected from the vehicle, flown to Regional West Hospital in Scottsbluff and then transferred to a hospital in Denver. The other children were transported to the hospital in Chadron, and one has since been transported to a hospital in Rapid City. Several animals died as a result of the crash, as both trailers were loaded.
Highway 20 was closed for approximately five hours. The crash remains under investigation.
NSP was assisted at the scene by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Dawes County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska Game and Parks, and the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department.
