Loose trailer causes accident

Loose trailer causes accident

Loose trailer causes accident
Posted: Wednesday, Mar 12th, 2008
BY: Jerry Abbott

A homemade flatbed trailer came off its hitch and caused extensive damage in an accident Friday night at 6:41 p.m. on Hwy 26 near Frank Implement Company.

Jeffrey Henson, 51, from Bayard, Neb., was pulling a homemade flatbed trailer and traveling eastbound on Hwy 26 in a 2006 GMC 1-ton pickup owned by J & K Masonry in Bayard. The trailer came loose from the hitch, broke the safety chains, crossed the centerline and hit a 2002 F350 pickup driven by Donald Ekwall, 59, from Mitchell. Ekwall and his wife, Donna, 47, were westbound on Hwy 26 towing a 4-horse trailer on their way to a team roping event.

Henson sustained no injuries. According to Wyoming State Trooper John Jerkins from Wheatland, Donald Ekwall was taken to Community Hospital and then transported to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb., for treatment of broken bones. Donna Ekwall was treated at Community Hospital for back injuries.

Seat belts were in use by all parties. Air bags did deploy in the Ekwall vehicle. Jenkins said alcohol and drugs were not suspected or tested for. The Ekwall vehicle and trailer traveled across the road and almost reached the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks. The railroad shut down travel on the tracks for approximately two hours while the Ekwall vehicle and trailer were being moved. The accident is still under investigation and no citations have been issued.