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

I-80 accident kills two

A single vehicle accident on Interstate 80 claimed the lives of a Scottsbluff couple Nov. 12.

The accident occurred shortly after 10 p.m., when the driver of an eastbound 2012 Buick Enclave, Kelly Rose, 57, fell asleep. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with the concrete of the Bushnell overpass.

Neither the driver, nor her passenger, Forrest Rose, 64, were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident, according to Deb Collins, spokesperson for the Nebraska State Patrol.

Kimball Deputy Sheriff Marla Knigge responded to the fatal accident. Upon arriving at the scene of the accident, the female passenger was found to be already deceased. Regional West Air Link of Scottsbluff was called to transfer the male occupant of the vehicle.

Due to blowing snow, the Air Link crew responded to the awaiting officers that they were unable to leave. A call for transfer by Cheyenne Flight for Life was cancelled before that crew could respond, as the second victim had perished.

Chief Knigge called for Kimball Coroner, David Wilson, to officially announce the death of the Scottsbluff couple.

Forrest Rose owned and operated Tri-State Roofing company in Scottsbluff for several years.