A teenage driver is seriously injured in an accident between an SUV and a semi-trailer on Highway 275 near Pilger

On Thursday morning, May 23, approximately 20 minutes after midnight, the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office responded to and investigated an accident between an SUV and a tractor-trailer approximately 0.7 miles west of Pilger on US Highway 275.

The 18-year-old driver of the SUV was trapped in the rubble for more than an hour while rescue workers tried to free him with several rescue scissors.

After his rescue, the young driver with life-threatening injuries was flown directly from the scene of the accident by rescue helicopter to UNMC in Omaha.

The driver of the tractor-trailer and trailer were treated at the scene but declined medical transport.

Both vehicles are total losses. Apparently no seatbelts were worn in the SUV, but the airbags did deploy.

The accident occurred when the eastbound SUV crossed the center line and collided nearly head-on with the westbound semi-truck. The SUV then skidded and came to rest in the south ditch. The semi-truck and trailer skidded in the north ditch after striking a live power pole. The pole snapped, causing a complete power outage in the village of Pilger and a power outage in the rural area surrounding the accident site.

Power was restored by Stanton County Public Power after about 60 minutes.

Highway 275 was blocked and closed for more than three and a half hours while the accident scene was investigated and cleared.

Pilger Fire and Rescue was assisted at the scene by the Stanton and Wisner fire departments. Stanton County Emergency Management also provided assistance at the scene.