MERNA— An Anselmo man sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of a Tuesday morning accident outside of Merna, according to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office.
At approximately 8:26 AM, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a two vehicle accident outside of Merna between a pickup and a semi pulling an enclosed trailer.
Philip Piper, age 62 of Kearney, was driving a 1999 Kenworth semi with an enclosed trailer behind westbound on Highway 2 when Bowdy McMullin, age 39 of Anselmo, entered the highway in front of him eastbound on Dale Valley Cemetery Road in a 2011 Ford pickup.
The semi driven by Piper impacted the passenger side of McMullin’s pickup, causing both vehicles to go out of control and skid into the ditch. As the pickup entered the ditch, a secondary collision with the trailer of the semi occurred.
CCSO says Piper was not injured in the accident and was wearing a seatbelt. McMullin was transported to Melham Hospital in Broken Bow before being transported by helicopter to Kearney with life-threatening injuries. He is reported to have not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
CCSO was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Anselmo and Merna Fire and Rescue, and Trumbull Towing. They extended their thoughts and prayers to all involved in the incident.
