Three survive fiery crash

Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Jeffrey Van Stelton's charred cruiser and the crushed remains of a Ford Focus sit in the state impound yard east of McCook, Nebraska, following an accident early Sunday morning near Stratton. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

STRATTON, Nebraska -- Good Samaritan Hospital of Kearney, Nebraska lists Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Jeffrey Van Stelton of McCook in serious condition following a near-head-on collision early Sunday morning that burned Van Stelton's cruiser to a crisp.

State Patrol public information coordinator Deb Collins reports that Trooper Van Stelton suffered injuries to his legs, pelvis and an arm, and was flown by helicopter from Community Hospital of McCook to the Kearney hospital.

Antonia Valdez, a 40-year-old female passenger in the second car, suffered non-life-threatening injuries to her legs, and was also flown from McCook to the hospital in Kearney. A spokesperson there said this morning that the hospital has no patient by that name.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette

The 17-year-old male driver of the second car was taken to the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver did not have a driver's license. Both he and Valdez are believed to be from the Denver metro area.

The accident happened just before 2 a.m., on Highway 34 four miles west of Stratton, when the eastbound 2008 Ford Fusion crossed the center line, striking Van Stelton's westbound 2010 Dodge Charger patrol car nearly head-on.

The cruiser came to rest in the south ditch and burst into flames. The Ford came to rest on the highway.

Passersby pulled Van Stelton away from his burning cruiser. Stratton and Trenton rescue personnel responded to the accident and were assisted by an ambulance from McCook.