Wreaks Send Residents to Hospital

PLATTSMOUTH – Several local residents went to the hospital Sunday after snow-covered roads caused a pair of car accidents near Plattsmouth.

  The first accident took place on Highway 75 by Tincher Auto Mall at 3:49 p.m. Cass County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported that Plattsmouth resident Krista R. Davenport, 18, was traveling southbound on Highway 75 when she lost control of her 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. The car did a near-180-degree spin on the road. Beaver Lake resident Harold J. Sturm, 60, was northbound in his 2007 Ford Fusion at the time. Davenport’s car struck Sturm’s vehicle near the driver’s door. The collision forced both vehicles to stop on the east side of the highway.

  Cass County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Plattsmouth Fire and Rescue volunteers all responded to the accident. Plattsmouth Rescue transported a female passenger in Sturm’s vehicle to the hospital as a precautionary measure. She told rescue crews she struck her head on the door jam during the accident.

Witnesses told investigators each car was traveling between 40 and 45 miles per hour prior to the collision. Deputies said the snow-packed highway was a contributing factor in the incident.

  The second accident took place at 6:53 p.m. on the Webster Boulevard overpass on Highway 75. Deputies reported that Plattsmouth resident Heather J. Sheldon, 27, was northbound on Highway 75 when she lost control of her 2000 Pontiac Montana Sport Van and the vehicle spun into the southbound lane. Plattsmouth resident Eric M. Cavanaugh, 20, was driving a 2004 Dodge Dakota truck southbound at the time. The two vehicles collided on the overpass.

  Two adults in the Cavanaugh vehicle and two adults and two children in the Sheldon vehicle received injuries. Plattsmouth Rescue transported all six people to University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment. A Plattsmouth firefighter also received injuries at the accident scene and was transported to Bellevue Medical Center. The name of the firefighter was not released.

  Deputies said icy and snow-packed road conditions are considered the primary reason for the accident. Emergency crews were on scene for more than one hour.

Provided By: The Journal