Dense fog leads to collision

Motorcyclist airlifted to Omaha

  • This motorcycle driven by a Gothemburg man was involved in a Wednesday morning collision with a Jeep.
    This motorcycle driven by a Gothemburg man was involved in a Wednesday morning collision with a Jeep.

    The thick early morning fog of Wednesday, Sept. 20 was a contributing factor in a collision between a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and an SUV that sent both drivers to the hospital. 
    According to Hamilton County Sheriff Jeromy McCoy, a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Sheila Hiebner of Aurora was northbound on Highway 14 just north of 20th Road shortly after 7 a.m. when Hiebner pulled out to pass another vehicle and collided with the southbound motorcycle driven by 31-year-old Travis Pieper of Gothernburg. Both vehicles went into the ditch and the motorcycle caught fire. 
    McCoy says Hiebner was transported by ambulance to Grand Island Regional Medical Center where she was treated for minor injuries. Meanwhile, Pieper was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island and later airlifted to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha where, as of Thursday, he was listed in critical condition. 
    While first responders were on the scene traffic on Highway 14 was being detoured via 20th, 21st and R Roads by state troopers. 
    Agencies responding to the incident included the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska Highway Patrol, Aurora and Marquette Fire Departments and Aurora Ambulance.