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WISNER — A Laurel woman died and her husband was critically injured in a single-vehicle crash Saturday morning at the Stanton-Cuming county line.
First responders were called to the east junction of Highway 275 and Highway 15 around 10:10 a.m. Saturday, according to Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger.
The Norfolk Daily News reported a witness saw Erwin’s Ford pickup truck traveling southbound on Highway 15, and then drove through the stop sign at a high rate of speed. The truck went over Highway 275 angling southwest and became airborne, striking a dirt embankment and rolling onto its side. The driver of the pickup was identified as Rich Erwin, 79, of Laurel. The deceased passenger was his wife, Ellen Erwin, 77, also of Laurel.
Rich Erwin sustained critical injuries and was extricated from the vehicle with the Jaws of Life before being flown from the crash site to a Lincoln hospital for treatment.
The couple appeared to be using seat belts, according to the sheriff, who said the accident was not weather-related.
Both highways were closed for more than an hour. The helicopter departed the scene around 11:05 a.m.
Pilger Fire and Rescue, Wisner Fire and Rescue, Stanton County Emergency Management and the Cuming County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.
