(Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – A 69-year-old Missouri man was killed July 31 when the eastbound 2020 Freightliner semi-truck he was driving on Interstate 80 crossed the median and westbound lanes and ended up with the truck partially submerged in the far west lake at Mormon Island State Recreation Area.
The accident occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. July 31. The deceased driver is Verlin Hunt, 69, of Battlefield, Mo., according to a news release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Department.
When deputies arrived, they located a semi-truck and trailer partially submerged along the south shore of the lake. Life saving measures were taken until it was determined that the driver was deceased.
After leaving the Interstate, the semi then proceeded down a steep embankment and into the lake before coming to a stop. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor and the driver had been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
An accident reconstruction team was called to the scene, and they will continue to investigate. As a result of the accident, diesel was released into the lake. An environmental cleanup team later responded to address the environmental concerns. The Nebraska State Patrol also assisted with the investigation.
According to a news release from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lake 1 and its beach at Mormon Island State Recreation Area are temporarily closed as a result of the accident because diesel fuel and oil leaking into the lake.
A hazard materials team is assessing water quality and safety Aug. 1 and will determine a clean-up plan and timeline.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers and partners assisted at the scene Wednesday night.
The lake at the state recreation area will remain closed until further notice; check back at OutdoorNebraska.gov.
