Washington County, NE : One person seriously injured in two-vehicle crash on U.S. 75 near Herman on Monday, April 25, 2016

One person was transported to the hospital with serious injuries following a two-vehicle accident Monday on U.S. 75 north of Herman.

Blair and Herman rescue units responded to the crash just before 5 p.m.

Washington County Sheriff's Deputy Shane Thallas said a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was northbound when it attempted to make a U-turn on the highway. The truck, driven by Jacqueline Ericson, 72, of Fort Calhoun, was struck by a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Lee Biesendorfer, 60, of Tekamah.

The car sustained heavy damage. The steering wheel appeared to be mangled and the air bags had not deployed.

Deputy David Page said Biesendorfer had facial injuries and a possible fractured femur. Page said Biesendorfer's head had struck the windshield. It was unclear if he was wearing a seat belt.

Biesendorfer was transported to Memorial Community Hospital & Health System in Blair. He was later taken by medical helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Ericson refused treatment at the scene. Two juveniles in the truck were not injured. They were all wearing their seat belts.

Page said rescuers reported a strong odor of alcohol while treating Biesendorfer, but deputies and the Nebraska State Patrol were unable to get a blood draw due to Biesendorfer's injuries.

“It's hard to say how much that had an effect (on the accident) given that she pulled out in front of him,” Page said.

A citation is pending against Ericson.

Traffic in both directions on U.S. 75 was blocked for several minutes.

Source :
One person seriously injured in two-vehicle crash near Herman