One injured, cited in Gage County crash

BEATRICE, Neb. - A 19-year-old man was hospitalized Wednesday following a two-vehicle crash southeast of Pickrell in Gage County.

According to the Gage County Sheriff's Office, the collision occurred around 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of South 5th Drive and East Dogwood Road.

An initial investigation found that 19-year-old Mitchel Melander of Hunter, North Dakota, was driving a Ford F-150 eastbound on Dogwood Road when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign. His vehicle entered the intersection and collided with a southbound Chevrolet Silverado driven by 57-year-old Kent Zimmerman of Beatrice. The Silverado is owned by the Norris Public Power District.

Melander was transported to Beatrice Community Hospital by Beatrice Fire and Rescue with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Zimmerman and a passenger were evaluated at the scene but were not transported.

Melander was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign. Authorities say neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to have been factors in the crash.