The Antelope County Sheriff’s Department and members of Elgin Rescue responded to a 911 call last night 10 miles west of Elgin on Highway 70 and 1-1/2 miles south on 511 Avenue.
According to Sheriff Bob Moore, dispatch received a call of a one vehicle accident and a man trapped at 7:56 pm on Thursday, Nov. 19.
Ronald Mangelsen, 57, of St. Paul, Nebraska was northbound on 511 Avenue when he lost control of the 1992 Dodge Dakota pickup he was driving. The pickup, registered to Chris Rubenthaler of Elgin, turned sideways, entered the west ditch, rolled and burst into flames.
Passersby on the scene were able to help Mangelsen get out of the pickup. According to Moore, alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Mangelsen was transported to Antelope Memorial Hospital with severe burns. He was life flighted to St. Elizabeth Burn Center in Lincoln with critical injuries. His current condition is unknown. The accident is under investigation by the Antelope County Sheriff’s Department.
