MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT CLOSES HWY 15

SCENE OF HWY 15 ACCIDENT ON MONDAY NIGHT

On Monday evening at about 5:45 p.m. the Stanton County Sheriff’s office responded to and investigated a multi-vehicle traffic accident that sent one driver to the hospital.  The accident on Hwy 15 about two miles South of Hwy 32 occurred when a northbound semi driven by Richard Shoemaker, 39, of Council Bluffs passed a northbound John Deere tractor in a No Passing Zone and they came into contact and then both vehicles left the roadway coming to rest in the east ditches.  A second northbound semi stopped to avoid the collision and was then struck in the rear by a third northbound semi and it veered into the west ditch.  A northbound pickup was also involved and ended up off the road in a creek. The 13 year old driver of the tractor was transported to a West Point hospital by Clarkson Fire and Rescue with minor injuries.  The highway was closed for more than seven hours as the scene was investigated and cleared.  Norfolk Fire hazmat also responded to the scene to clear a fuel spill into a creek. Stanton County Emergency Management and Nebraska DOT assisted with traffic control and the highway closure.  Seatbelts were in use and Shoemaker was cited for Passing in a No Passing Zone.