Aug 02, 2021

Hemingford man struck and killed by vehicle on Highway 385

Posted Aug 02, 2021 3:41 PM

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post

A Hemingford man was hit and killed by a vehicle on Highway 385. 

On July 30 at around 8 a.m. the Nebraska State Patrol and Dawes County Attorney/Coroner investigated the death of 72-year-old Chester Ansley of Hemingford. 

Ansley stopped his pickup on the shoulder of Highway 385, approximately 25 miles south of Chadron. 

Ansley got out of his vehicle to retrieve an article that had fallen out of the back of the pickup. 

"Ansley was then struck by a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser that was traveling north on Highway 385 in smoky conditions due to the recent western wildfires," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said. "The incident was witnessed by motorists approaching the scene in the southbound lane."

Haug said the PT Cruiser was driven by Burley Shumpert of Chadron. 

"There are currently no charges pending in this matter," Haug said. "However, further review of evidence...including reports generated by an on scene accident re-constructionist in ongoing as law enforcement continues the investigation."

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by Box Butte County Sheriff's Office, Hemingford Fire Department and Chadron Fire Department.