Hastings, Neb. — A two-vehicle crash in Hastings injured three people and resulted in two deaths. A media release from the Hastings Police Department (HPD) says the crash was reported to the 9-1-1 center Thursday at 6:30 p.m. A preliminary investigation indicates a smaller car and a full-size pickup were traveling northbound in the 600 block of N Burlington Avenue. The pickup collided with the rear of the car, pushing it onto the terrace where it collided with other objects. The pickup came to rest near the Presbyterian Church.
HPD says the pickup driver, identified as 61 year old Douglas Kelly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was transported to Mary Lanning Healthcare, where his condition Friday afternoon was listed as stable.
The small car had four occupants, two of which were transported to the hospital for medical treatment and two that were pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased have been identified as 61 year old Natividad Zuniga and 45-year old Graciano Nava Zuniga, both of Grand Island.
The other two occupants were the driver of the car, 67 year old Gilberto Zuniga-Cirila, and a passenger, 55 year-old Guadalupe Zuniga-Cirila, both also from Grand Island.
Gilberto is in stable condition at Mary Lanning, while Guadalupe was taken to Bryan West in Lincoln in critical condition.
Hastings Police Department is leading the investigation and the Nebraska State Patrol is providing assistance with accident reconstruction. Authorities do not suspect that drugs and alcohol played a role in the accident.
