The scene of the accident during the afternoon of Thursday, July 19, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The driver who was killed as the result of a collision between a van and train in Kearney on Thursday, July 18 has been identified.
According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, the victim has been identified as Ronald D. Ayers, age 72, of Kearney.
The next of kin have been notified and the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office has ordered an autopsy.
“The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding a single vehicle – train crash the resulted in the death of one adult male driver. The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m.,” the sheriff’s office stated.
“An autopsy has been ordered by the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office. The incident involved a Union Pacific Rail Road train car and a 2014 Dodge van. The section of highway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation,” per the sheriff’s Office.
According to preliminary investigation, a transportation van was traveling westbound on US Highway 30 east of Cherry Ave just outside the city limits of Kearney, NE. At this location, a UPRR train was backing up on a railroad service track that crosses the highway. As the train was backing, it collided with the westbound van, per the sheriff’s office.
The van, occupied by the Ayers and lone passenger, received significant damage.
The Ayers was pronounced deceased at the scene. The only other occupant was an adult female, who reported no injury.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Kearney Police Department, Kearney / Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation (FAIT) team, Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, CHI GSH Paramedics, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska State Department of Roads and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.
