The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and first responders were dispatched to a one vehicle fatality accident on West A street, several miles west of North Platte Thursday shortly before 10 am.
Upon arrival, responders found a 2000 Monte Carlo with heavy front end damage, and two occupants in the vehicle. The female driver was seriously injured and the male passenger was deceased.
According to a LCSO media release, evidence indicated the accident happened hours earlier and the damage to the vehicle was the result of hitting a tree. North Platte Rescue used extraction equipment
to remove the occupants.
LCSO says it appeared the driver, 18-year-old Addison Malone of Ogallala, may have been confused as to what road she was driving on and did not realize West a Street is a dead end street. The driver failed to see the warning signs and hit a large tree, head on, at a high rate of speed. Malone sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The deceased passenger was identified as 18-year-old Nathaniel Sandoval of Ogallala. Both Malone and Sandoval were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident, and according to the media release, criminal charges are pending for Malone.
The investigation remains ongoing.