LAUREL, NE (THECOUNT) — Ryan Sevening, 50, of Vermillion, South Dakota, was killed Tuesday evening in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 15 near Highway 59 outside Laurel, Nebraska, involving a Ford Bronco and a Peterbilt truck operated by Joshua Klausen, 47, of Laurel, according to the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 6:41 p.m. after receiving reports of a serious collision along the rural stretch of Highway 15, a north-south route frequently used by both local farm traffic and regional motorists traveling between Cedar County communities.
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Authorities said the crash occurred when Klausen was backing a Peterbilt semi-tractor with an attached trailer into a private driveway located on the east side of Highway 15. As the truck and trailer were partially positioned across the travel lane during the maneuver, Sevening’s eastbound Ford Bronco collided with the trailer.
The impact was severe. Sevening was pronounced dead at the scene by responding emergency personnel. Investigators confirmed he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and that the Bronco’s airbags deployed upon impact with the trailer.
The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office noted that it is not yet known whether Klausen was wearing a seatbelt during the incident. Officials stated that this remains part of the active investigation as deputies reconstruct the precise sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
Backing large commercial vehicles into rural driveways along two-lane highways is a known traffic hazard, particularly during evening hours when visibility can be reduced and approaching drivers may have limited reaction time to avoid trailers crossing travel lanes. Investigators are working to determine sight distance, lighting conditions, and vehicle positioning at the time of the crash.
Highway 15 near the junction with Highway 59 is surrounded by agricultural land and scattered residences, with limited shoulder space in several sections. The area is commonly traveled by farm equipment, semis, and passenger vehicles, especially during early evening hours.
No additional injuries were reported at the scene. Authorities did not indicate that alcohol or speed were suspected factors, but emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office continues to examine evidence from the scene, including vehicle damage, roadway markings, and witness accounts, as part of the crash reconstruction process.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has additional information is encouraged to contact the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office.
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