Two auto accidents near Cortland

On Sunday, March 6, at approximately 11:55 p.m., the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, Cortland Fire and Rescue, and Clatonia Fire and Rescue responded to a single vehicle rollover accident involving a semi-tractor and trailer near Cortland. 

The driver, William Severson, 59, of Omaha, was traveling eastbound on Highway 41 when the semi-tractor and trailer drove off the roadway, tipped, and landed on the driver’s side coming to rest in the north ditch. The driver was transported to BryanLGH West via Star Care with life threatening injuries. It is unknown if Severson was wearing his seatbelt. Alcohol use is not suspected. 

BryanLGH West reported as of Tuesday, Severson is currently in intensive care unit and is in critical condition.

On Monday, March 7, at 7:46 a.m., the Gage County Sheriff’s office and Clatonia Fire and Rescue responded to a two-vehicle injury accident that occurred at the intersection of Highway 77 and West Highway 41, south of Cortland. 

A 1996 Ford Taurus driven by 20-year-old Jonathan Oltman, of Papillion, was traveling west on Highway 77. 

A 2000 Ford Excursion driven by 31-year-old Sarah K. Gullickson, of Bruning, was traveling south on West Highway 41.

Gullickson attempted to turn east onto Highway 77 from West Highway 41 and failed to yield to Oltman, who was traveling west on Highway 77. Oltman was unable to stop his vehicle and collided with the Ford Excursion in the intersection.

Both drivers sustained minor injuries from the accident and were transported to BryanLGH West and Saint Elizabeth in Lincoln by Clatonia Rescue. Air bags were not deployed in the Ford Excursion and both driver’s side and passenger side airbags were deployed in the Ford Taurus. Seatbelts were being utilized by both drivers during the accident.  Alcohol was not a factor in the accident and citations are currently pending.