Head-On Collision Near Pierce Kills One, Injures Five

Posted: 21 January, 2013

PIERCE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities are investigating a head-on collision in northeast Nebraska that killed one man and injured five other people. Pierce County Attorney Verlyn Luebbe says 83-year-old Ralph Schmidt of Norfolk died in the Friday evening crash in U.S. Highway 81. The crash happened when a southbound SUV crossed the centerline and collided with Schmidt's truck just north of the intersection of Highways 81 and 98. Schmidt's passenger, 70-year-old Robbie Heinemann of Norfolk, was critically injured in the crash. She was taken to Norfolk and then Sioux City for treatment. The driver of the SUV, 60-year-old Sara Krahn, was flown to a Sioux City hospital. Her passengers, 61-year-old Isaac Krahn, 30-year-old Lisa Sawatsky and 3-year-old Jordan Sawatsky, were treated in Norfolk. All of the passengers are from Winkler, Manitoba, Canada.