Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Accident at Nadine Street and Route 30 in Kimball between pickup and bicycle leads to boy's hospitalization

A young boy was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of Route 30 and Nadine Street in Kimball last week stopping traffic for over half an hour, as first responders treated the victim.

The truck, a maroon Chevrolet S-10, driven by Sean Drake, of Kimball, was headed eastbound on Route 30, when according to Drake, a child on a bicycle darted out into traffic from Nadine Street.

“He came out from the side street yelling, “My brakes don’t work, my brakes don’t work,” said Drake. “He was barreling along.”

The child, who was identified as Ian Schildhauer of Kimball, was riding when his brakes went out on his bicycle, according to his mother, Kim Schildhauer.

“Thank God the driver swerved like he did or the outcome may have been worse,” said Schildhauer.

Following his at-the-scene treatment, Schildhauer was airlifted from Kimball Health Services to Scottsbluff Regional West Medical Center.

Early reports indicated that Schildhauer was in stable condition following surgery for a broken femur, sustained in the accident. This was later confirmed in a statement released to the Observer by his mother.

“Ian is home and doing well. He sustained a fractured femur on his left leg requiring two internal pins to repair,” Schildhauer said. “He’s still a little sore but in great spirits. There were no other injuries except some abrasions and bruising on his legs. He is one lucky boy. God was watching over him for sure. We are extremely thankful for the quick response by the Kumball ambulance crew and others on the scene who provided assistance.”