Union students survive a collision on Highway 2

The Union family was in shock this last week when some of our own family members were involved in a head-on collision on their way back from Harvey’s Harvest. The person who caused the accident unfortunately was killed in the crash. The other four people involved were sent to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

On Friday the 17th, Union hosted Harvey’s Harvest with supper and worship that went off without a hitch. Tori Kretschmar, a Union nursing student, said, “It was an amazing way to end a stressful week and welcome in the Sabbath. The food, music and message were all fulfilling. I loved seeing everyone there and how the lawn was scattered with students in various places playing games, eating and talking.” Tori, who is friends with some of the people that were in the crash, was considering riding back with them that evening.

As people left the event, the 19-year-old driver, Allen Stafford, took three other students as his passengers—Tegan Smith, Marcus McConaughey and Anna Wood—back toward Union. At 9:08 P.M. a drunk driver collided with their vehicle on Highway 2. An emergency helicopter and fire and rescue were called in to help. Some of our own trained first responders—including Hannah Wood, a Union graduate—were the first on the scene.

All four students in the van were sent to the hospital, some with broken bones, others with spinal injuries. Unfortunately, the driver of the other vehicle, Kimberly Haes, passed away at the scene at the age of 55. The campus, post-crash, felt great compassion and empathy towards the driver and her family, continuing to pray for them. We may never know what happened in her car for her to cause the accident.

Marcus McConaghy, one of the students involved in the collision, said of the accident and the healing process that “God has it under control.” Marcus has a broken shoulder, broken toe and a hairline fracture on his spine. The students sent to the hospital nearly all needed surgery. They had many broken bones including vertebrae, shoulders, arms and legs. Even though there were many injuries, spirits remained high. In the midst of casts and pain, the students kept persevering and smiled through the worst of it all.

https://www.klkntv.com/developing-serious-head-on-crash-southeast-of-lincoln/

By TJ Pittenger