A multi-vehicle accident in Kearney on Monday, October 28 began when a Callaway man allegedly failed to yield to crossing traffic.
According to the Kearney Hub, Herbert R. Hamilton, 53 of Callaway, was driving a 2006 Ford Taurus south on Third Ave. when he allegedly failed to yield the right of way to eastbound traffic on 25th Street, according to Kearney P.D. Lieutenant Kevin Thompson. Hamilton allegedly pulled out in front of a Kearney sanitation truck that was traveling east on 25th Street.
The sanitation truck was unable to avoid the Taurus and made impact on the back passenger side bumper. At the same time, a 1995 Freightliner, pulling a loaded grain trailer, was traveling east on 25th street when it hit the Taurus broadside.
The impact threw the driver of the Freightliner, Delbert Bender 66 of Kenesaw, onto the floor of the semi between the two seats causing him to lose control. The semi continued east on 25th Street, through the red light at the Second Avenue intersection, and hit a 2003 Ford Ranger driving north on Second Ave. The semi continued east into the westbound lanes of West 25th Street where it made impact with a 2006 Dodge Ram. The force of the impact pushed the pickup into a 2010 Lexus that was stopped next to the pickup waiting to turn north onto Second Ave.
According to the Kearney Hub article, the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to free 16 year-old Stetson Hamilton from the front passenger’s seat of the Taurus. The teen, Herbert Hamilton, and Bender were all taken to CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. Bender was treated for his injuries and released, while Herbert Hamilton was listed in serious condition. Stetson Hamilton was treated and flown to another unnamed medical facility.
The driver of the Ford Ranger, Brian Guidry, 48, of Palmer Lake, Colo., was transported to Kearney Regional Medical Center where he was treated and later released. Bender was cited for not wearing a seat belt.
No other injuries were reported.
The crashes were investigated by the Kearney/Buffalo County Fatality Investigation Team and the Nebraska State Patrol.
