712 Digital Group - top

Dusty road blamed for injury accident in Montgomery County

News

October 22nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Investigators looking into a personal injury accident in Montgomery County Monday evening, said no citations were issued following a collision between two semis that sent one person to the hospital. Officials blamed dusty conditions at the intersection of 230th and M Avenue as the reason for the crash between semis driven by Frank Blaha and Shawn Costales, both of whom are from Lincoln, NE.

The accident happened at around 5:23-p.m. Officials say Blaha was driving a 1999 International semi tractor pulling a 2013 Smithco side-dump trailer. He stopped at the intersection to allow another vehicle to enter. Costales, who was coming up behind Blaha in a 2001 International semi tractor which was also puling a side-dump trailer, did not see Blaha had stopped, due to the dusty conditions. He tried to avoid a rear-end collision by turning left, but ended-up hitting the left rear bumper and tire of the trailer being pulled by Blaha’s semi.

Costales’ semi then left the road and crashed through a fence. Costales was transported by Red Oak Rescue to the Montgomery County Hospital, to be checked for possible injuries. Blaha refused medical treatment. Both men submitted to DOT drug testing at the hospital.

Damage from the crash amounted to slightly more than $15,600, including damage to the fence owned by Max Peterson, of Stanton.