The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were injured when a pickup collided with a backhoe Tuesday afternoon, east of Red Oak. The collision happened at the intersection of Highway 34 and 200th Street, at around 3:10-p.m. Authorities say an investigation determined the operator of a 1999 Case 580 Super L backhoe, 65-year-old Arthur D. Peterson, was traveling east on Highway 34 and was preparing to enter the turning lane to travel east onto 200th Street. A 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup, driven by 46-year-old Matthew Newton, of Omaha, was also traveling eastbound. Newton told authorities the backhoe entered the roadway in front of him and he had braked. but was unable to avoid striking the rear of the machine with the left front of the pickup.

Newton and his female passenger were transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The pickup sustained about $2500 damage and was considered a total loss. There was no damage to the backhoe, which is registered to C&J Construction. Arthur Peterson was not injured during the accident, which remains under investigation. Authorities say citation may follow completion of the investigation.