Four Children Injured As Vehicle Strikes Tent

“They definitely had an angel watching out for them last night.”
Those were the words Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore used to describe an incident of a vehicle striking a tent where five children were inside, injuring four late Sunday night.
Stephen Barrington, 42, of Oakdale, was taken into custody, without incident, by the Nebraska State Patrol Sunday night at the location of the accident, 708 Fifth Street in Oakdale. He was being held Monday at the Antelope County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Moore said the incident occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. He said an argument between Barrington and his wife led to Barrington allegedly driving a 1998 Plymouth Voyager Sport van into their back yard, over a fire pit and into the tent where the five children, ages 8 to 13, were. The van belongs to Francis Barrington of Oakdale.
Moore said Barrington, realizing what he had done, began to render aid to the children until rescue personnel arrived.
“He’s terribly remorseful today,” Moore said Monday.
Responding to the scene were, in addition to the Antelope County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol, Midwest Medical, Tilden Fire & Rescue, Neligh Rescue and the Neligh Police Department.
One youth was taken to Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk where he was listed in stable condition Monday. Three other youths were taken to Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, two were treated and released and another was kept overnight for observation and has since been released.
Moore said Barrington was charged with driving under the influence, and reckless driving. Judge Taylor on Monday set bond at $20,000 with a 10 percent provision.
Law enforcement were still investigating the accident Monday afternoon.