Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
A one vehicle accident west of Bushnell on Interstate 80 cost an Illinois man his life.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol, on Thursday, July 16, Joseph Geeting, 43, of Rockford, Ill., veered off the interstate in a 2015 Peterbilt, owned by Cold as Ice Trucking.
Geeting’s vehicle headed eastbound near mile marker 8, where it collided into a rock embankment and was engulfed in flames.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, according to Kimball County Sheriff Harry Gillway. However, it is believed that Geeting may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
The Kimball County Sheriff’s Office was called as the coroner and Chief Deputy Marla Knigge pronounced Geeting dead at the scene.
Geeting’s team driver, Robert Smith, 64, of Rock Falls, Ill., attempted rescue Getting before the flames overtook him.
Smith was transported via AirLink to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. No charges have been filed and according to Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Martin Denton, none are expected.