UPDATE 1/27/2023
Jackilyn Potter-Buckendahl, 24, was killed in a vehicle crash near Prague in Saunders County on Wednesday. The Saunders County Sheriff's Office said she was a passenger in a Buick Regal driven by Rory Buckendahl, 26, of Prague. There were two children, ages three and six, in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The three-year-old was described as having "life-threatening injuries" and the six-year-old as having non-life-threatening injuries. Rory Buckendahl has serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Buckendahls' vehicle was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by 20-year-old Payton Pruett. Authorities believe Pruett lost control of the car while traveling northbound on Highway 79. The Camry crossed the center line, striking the Regal, which was traveling in the other direction. Pruett's injuries were not life-threatening, according to the Saunders County Sheriff's Office.
All five individuals were transported to the hospital following the crash.
Previous news release from law enforcement:
According to the Saunders County Sheriff's Office, police responded to the scene around 8:45 p.m.
The investigation showed that a red 2007 Toyota Camry driven by Payton Pruett, 20, of Lincoln was traveling northbound on Highway 79. The Toyota Camry appeared to have lost control, entered the east ditch, then overcorrected and crossed the centerline striking a southbound white 2001 Buick Regal in the southbound lane.
The Buick Regal was occupied by two adults and two children and came to rest in the west ditch, said Saunders County Police. The Toyota Camry came to rest on its top in the northbound lane of Highway 79. Pruett was the only occupant of the vehicle.
According to Saunders County Police, all five people involved were transported to Fremont Methodist Health and several were later transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Pruett sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Saunders County Police said the adult male driver from the Buick Regal remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the adult female passed away at UNMC. The names of the adults in the Buick Regal are being withheld until the extended family can be notified.
Two children, ages 3 and 6, were also in the Buick Regal. The 3-year-old has life-threatening injuries while the 6-year-old has non-life-threatening injuries, said police.
Seatbelt usage is still under investigation. At this time, alcohol is not believed to be a factor.
The accident remains under investigation by the Saunders County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Assistance was provided by Prague Fire and Rescue, Morse Bluff Fire, Cedar Bluffs Fire and Rescue, North Bend Fire and Rescue, Fremont Fire Department and the Nebraska State Patrol.
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