Dundy County Sheriff's Office/Nebraska State Patrol
On Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, at approximately 8:00 am, Dundy County Communications received a 911 call in reference to a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 61 near the Kansas State Line. Once Dundy County Sheriff's Office Deputies arrived at the scene, they observed that 2 commercial motor vehicles had collided, and 1 driver had facial injuries.
The driver was then transported to Dundy County Hospital by Benkelman EMS. Once Dundy County interim Sheriff Ryan King arrived at the scene, it was observed that one of the commercial Motor Vehicle's was owned by DHW Energy, and wanting to make sure that there would be no conflict of interest due to a close friendship with the owner of DHW Energy, it was decided to contact the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate the accident. This is the media release the Dundy County Sheriff's Office received from NSP in order to be transparent with the public.
Nebraska State Patrol Press Release below:
"On this date (Nov. 29th) at approximately 0940 hours, NSP was asked to assist Dundy County with the two vehicle CMV collision on Hwy 61 approximately mile marker 1. Due to the Sheriff's relationship with one of the drivers, NSP was asked by the Sheriff to handle the crash to prevent a possible appearance of conflictive interest.
At approximately 0930 hours, a fuel tender was traveling south bound on Hwy 61. A TT/ST hauling grain was traveling a distance behind it at the time. The tender approached the intersection of Road 702 and applied its brakes and turned on its left turn signal.
The driver of the TT/ST decided to try and pass the tender on the left side at the intersection causing the two vehicles to collide. The driver of the tender was flown to Denver for evaluation/observation but he did not appear to have any serious injury when he was transported to the local hospital.
The transport to Denver was a precaution since the driver has some visible bruising on his head. The driver of the TT/ST did not appear to have any injuries at the time of the crash. He was cited and a level lll reflected the citation which was issued."
This accident was a big undertaking by multiple agencies including Benkelman EMS, Benkelman Fire Department, Nebraska Department of Roads, Kansas Department of Transportation, Tri State Towing and Sinners Towing to clean up this accident site.