Just after midnight on Thursday, November 4, a 2004 Lincoln Aviator driven by a 37 year old man from Stanton, Nebraska, was northbound on US 81 Highway. A 2016 Freightliner with a loaded flatbed trailer of metal fencing, driven by a 51 year old man from Wyoming, had just merged onto US 81 Highway from I-70. The driver of the SUV crossed the center line and rear ended the trailer.
There was no evidence of braking or skid marks prior to impact. The driver of the SUV had to be extricated from his Aviator and was subsequently transported by ambulance to Salina Regional Health Center with a possible broken collar bone and other minor injuries. The driver of the semi trailer was not injured.
A yellow Labrador was in the backseat of the SUV, and the dog escaped without injury.
