18th Ave. crash claims life of boy, 12

COLUMBUS -- A 12-year-old, rural Columbus boy died at an Omaha hospital from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash late Thursday afternoon at an intersection on the northern edge of Columbus.

The intersection of Wilderness Road (18th Avenue) and Lost Creek Parkway where the crash occurred opened just a week ago.

Brent Dixon, who was a passenger in a car driven by his 17-year-old brother, Jerrod Dixon, was flown by air ambulance to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, where he later died of his injuries.

The boys and the driver of the second vehicle, June Rieck of Columbus, were taken to Columbus Community Hospital by the Columbus Rescue Unit.

The brothers are the sons of Mike and Karla Dixon of rural Columbus.

The 4:34 p.m. crash involved the car driven by Jerrod Dixon, which was northbound on Wilderness Road, and a pickup driven by Rieck that was westbound on Lost Creek Parkway, according to police reports.

Capt. Todd Thalken said the accident investigation revealed the car driven by the teen had attempted to brake prior to the collision. “He tried to skid for quite a ways.”

Seat belts were used by all three people involved in the accident.

The intersection has only been open in all four directions for a week.

The signal light at the intersection was activated Oct. 29 to allow drivers a chance to get used to it. The intersection was opened to traffic in all four directions last Friday.

Thursday’s accident was at least the second serious collision at the intersection since it opened. A car and motorcycle collision occurred Sunday, with the Columbus couple riding the motorcycle suffering injuries.