Fatal crash in Merrick County claims one life

MERRICK COUNTY, Neb. – One person is dead following a two-vehicle crash three miles south of Palmer on highway 92.

According to the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, the fatal accident occurred just after 6:30 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Highway 92 and 2nd Road in Merrick County.

Officials say the initial investigation revealed that two vehicles were driving southbound on 2nd Road and both failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection with Highway 92.

The second southbound vehicle, driven by 30-year-old Jesse Bonds from Elizabeth, Colorado, collided with a tractor truck traveling east on Highway 92. Bonds was declared dead at the scene.

The truck driver was pulling an empty cargo trailer and was uninjured in the crash. 

Officials added that alcohol or drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash, and that Jesse Bonds was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.