A fuel tanker truck driver was killed in Nebraska yesterday when a stolen pickup truck crashed into him head on, reportedly causing a huge explosion.
Three Left Dead By Head On Crash
Sixty-six year old trucker Ralph Brandt was hauling fuel on U.S. 83 near North Platte around 7:30 p.m. when a pickup truck veered into his lane as it attempted to pass another vehicle. The pickup slammed into the semi head on, reportedly causing an explosion.
By the time police and rescue crews arrived on scene, both the pickup and the tanker truck were on fire.
Brandt was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 28 year old driver of the pickup, Shane O’Conner, also died at the scene. The truck’s passenger, 32 year old Craig Vanmeter, later died in a nearby hospital.
Meth And Alcohol Found In Stolen Pickup
Witnesses told police that the pickup was speeding and driving aggressively before it crashed.
Further investigation revealed that the pickup had been stolen in Westminster, Colorado. Police found methamphetamine, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, and other drugs in the pickup and on the persons of the pickup’s occupants.
The crash is still under investigation.
Sources:
NP Telegraph
The Denver Post
Omaha.com