Hartington woman dies in Christmas crash

CROFTON — A Hartington woman was killed in a three vehicle Christmas crash on Highway 81.

The accident occurred just before 6 p.m. north of the Hwy. 81-Hwy. 12 intersection.

Cedar County Sheriff Larry Koranda said the accident occurred when a south-bound GMC Sonoma driven by Marjorie Novak, 82, Hartington, collided head-on with a north-bound Chevy Equinox. 

A north-bound Nissan Rogue driven by Brenda Saltzman, 52, Sioux Falls, S.D.,then collided with the rear of the Chevy Equinox. 

The identity of the Chevy Equinox driver is unknown at this time.  He was transported to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, and later life-flighted to a Sioux Falls hospital.

Novak, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident is still being investigated by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Dept., and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Saltzman and her two passengers were transported to the Yankton hospital with non life-threatening injuries.