ARCADIA, Neb. — An Arnold teenager was transported to a Kearney hospital with very serious injuries following a head-on collision Sunday afternoon on Highway 70, according to Valley County Sheriff Dave Scheideler.
Emergency responders were called to the crash site approximately 2½ miles west of Arcadia at about 3:15 p.m. Authorities reported that two vehicles, a three-quarter-ton Dodge pickup and a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, were involved in the collision.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Chevrolet Blazer was traveling westbound on Highway 70 when it drifted into the lane of oncoming traffic. The vehicle subsequently collided head-on with the Dodge pickup, which was being driven by Joshua Hougnon of Denver, Colorado.
The driver of the Blazer was identified as 19-year-old Riata Remund of Arnold. She sustained very serious injuries in the crash and was transported by air to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney for further medical treatment. The severity of her injuries underscored the force of the collision and prompted an immediate emergency response.
Hougnon was also transported to Valley County Hospital following the crash. After being evaluated and treated for his injuries, he was released from the hospital, according to authorities.
The collision caused emergency crews to respond to the rural stretch of Highway 70 as investigators worked to document the scene and determine precisely how the crash occurred. Authorities have not indicated that additional vehicles were involved.
Head-on crashes can result in significant injuries because of the tremendous forces generated when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. Investigators will examine the roadway, vehicle positions, physical evidence, and other available information as they work to complete their report.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the collision.
For the Remund family and the Arnold community, the crash has brought significant concern as they await updates on the teenager’s condition. Friends, neighbors, and community members are hoping for her recovery while also keeping everyone affected by the collision in their thoughts.
The incident serves as another reminder of the importance of remaining attentive while driving, particularly on highways where even a brief loss of control or lane departure can have devastating consequences.