By KALIN KROHE
Panhandle Post
At approximately 7:25 p.m. on March 25, a westbound pickup pulling a loaded livestock trailer collided head-on with an eastbound pickup, also pulling a loaded livestock trailer. The crash occurred at mile marker 14 on Highway 20, east of Harrison.
The westbound vehicle was driven by 67-year-old Ruth Smathers of Lost Springs, Wyoming. The eastbound vehicle was driven by 42-year-old Nanna Flesch of Shelby, Montana.
Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.
"Flesch’s three children were also in the vehicle and sustained serious injuries," Nebraska State Patrol Spokesman Cody Thomas said. "One child was ejected from the vehicle. That child was flown to Regional West Hospital in Scottsbluff and has since been transferred to a hospital in Denver. The other children were transported to the hospital in Chadron. One has since been transported to a hospital in Rapid City. Several animals died as a result of the crash, as both trailers were loaded."
Highway 20 was closed for approximately five hours.
NSP was assisted by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Dawes County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska Game and Parks and the Harrison Volunteer Fire Department.
The crash remains under investigation.