One dead, another injured in rural Merrick County crash

MERRICK COUNTY, Neb. (KSNB) – One person was killed and another was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash in Merrick County Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Merrick County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the crash around 10:30 a.m. on Route 14 near Route U in a rural part of the county.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of an SUV traveling northbound on Highway 14 crossed the center line and collided with a southbound pickup truck.

The driver of the SUV, identified as 46-year-old Ryan Peery of Cass County, died at the scene. The sheriff’s office said Peery was not wearing a seat belt at the time.

The driver of the pickup was taken to Merrick Medical Center and later transported to a hospital in Omaha with serious injuries. Authorities said the driver was wearing a seat belt and airbags were deployed in both vehicles.

Nebraska State Patrol, Nance County Sheriff’s Office, Clarks Fire and Rescue, Central City Ambulance and Central City Fire Department assisted at the scene.

The investigation continues.

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