Police blame snow and ice for two Chadron accidents

    Snow and ice on the pavement are blamed for 2 injury accidents Monday morning in Chadron.

Interim Police Chief Rick Hickstein says the injuries were minor with one person from each accident treated and released at Chadron Community Hospital. .

       The first accident occurred just after 9:00 AM at the intersection of Bordeaux and 3rd St/Hwy 20 and the second at 8th and Maple just after 11:00 AM. All occupants were wearing seat belts.

     Chief Hickstein says the 3rd and Chadron crash happened when an SUV on Bordeaux tried to cross the highway southbound from a stop sign and was hit by a westbound pickup. 

      The female SUV driver was treated and released at the Chadron hospital while the pickup driver and a passenger were unhurt. The SUV driver was cited for failing to yield the right-of-way. Both vehicles suffered about $4,000 damage. 

      The 8th and Maple crash involved a pickup and a car. Hickstein says both vehicles were southbound on Maple when the car slowed or stopped to turn and was rear-ended by the pickup. 

      The woman driving the car complained of pain in her neck and head, so was taken by ambulance to the hospital to get checked out. No damage was done to the pickup while the car suffered about $1,000 in damage. The pickup driver was cited for following too close.

     Chief Hickstein says drivers need to remember to slow down and use caution in wintery conditions since slick pavement makes it difficult to stop at intersections and crosswalks.

     He also recommends allowing yourself a little extra time to get to your destination so you can drive slower and arrive safely.