CLEARWATER, NE : An 83-year-old O’Neill woman was killed on Thursday, November, 16th 2017

An 83-year-old O’Neill woman was killed Thursday when the vehicle she was riding in struck a Caterpillar loader.

The Antelope County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release that indicated Clayton C. Johnson, 85, O’Neill, was traveling west on Highway 275 when the 2004 Buick LeSabre he was driving struck a westbound Caterpillar front end loader in Clearwater.

Johnson failed to observe the loader and attempted to avoid striking the loader by entering the eastbound lane, the release said.

The driver of the loader, Jeremy Paul Hanson, 45, Spicer, Minn., was traveling on the shoulder of Highway 275 signaling to make a right turn onto Colorado Street and was operating with all warning lights activated, according to the press release.

Approaching traffic prevented Johnson from making an abrupt lane change and resulted in him striking the rear of the loader.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to the scene. Both Clayton Johnson and wife, Lois Johnson, 83, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, were transported to Antelope Memorial Hospital by Clearwater Rescue.

Lois Johnson died at the hospital, according to the release. Clayton Johnson was admitted for treatment. Both occupants were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident, according to the release.

Alcohol and speed were not factors in the accident, with authorities responding at 5:51 p.m. Thursday.

Source :
Fatal accident in Clearwater