Carleton man dies in crash

A head on collision southeast of Carleton Thursday afternoon took the life of Donald G. Disney, Jr., 52, of Carleton. Disney was pronounced dead at Thayer County Health Services following the accident.

The second driver, Adam Lahners, 27, also of Carleton, was later life flighted to a Lincoln hospital with serious injuries. It is unknown how badly he was hurt.

Heavy dust may have contributed to the collision on Road 5800. Disney was traveling north while Lahners was heading south where the two collided near the Road U intersection just before 4 p.m.

According to a Thayer County Sheriff’s report, neither driver was wearing a seatbelt. Both were trapped and had to be extricated. Carleton Rescue was first on the scene and called in Hebron Rescue to assist with the jaws-of-life.
There was no indication of alcohol or drug use.

This is the only fatality motor vehicle accident in Thayer County so far this year. According to the 2011 Traffic Crash Facts issued in the State of Nebraska’s annual report, in 2011 the county had 88 total accidents; 28 resulted in injuries and there were no fatalities.

No word has been reported on Lahner’s condition as of Friday morning, Aug. 24.