Crash Claims Life of Hemingford Man

An accident on Highway 385 resulted in the death of a Hemingford man Monday evening and shut down the highway for approximately five hours.

According to Cody Thomas with the Nebraska State Patrol, at 6 p.m., first responders received a report of an injury accident on Highway 385 between Nance and Madison Roads. A Buick Lucerne, driven by Bruce Engel, 68, of Hemingford, was northbound while a Chevrolet pickup, driven by Levi Clouse, 21, of Hemingford, was southbound. Engel’s vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with Clouse’s vehicle.

Engel was pronounced dead at the scene. Clouse was taken to Box Butte General Hospital and then transported to Regional West in Scottsbluff.

Investigation revealed that seat belts were not in use in either Engel’s or Clouse’s vehicle.