Humphrey, NE (April 13, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash southwest of Humphrey on Friday, April 10, left one man dead and another hurt. Emergency units were called to the intersection of 445th Street and 295th Avenue at about 12:45 p.m.
Investigators said 62-year-old Terrence Brockhaus of Humphrey was driving a 2025 GMC Sierra pickup west on 445th Street. At the same time, 58-year-old Kenneth Dougherty of Silver Creek was heading south on 295th Avenue in a 2014 Kenworth cement truck when the vehicles collided in the uncontrolled intersection.
The impact sent the pickup off the road to the southeast, where it came to a stop in a field. The cement truck went into the ditch on the southwest side of the intersection and rolled onto the driver’s side.
Brockhaus was taken to Columbus Community Hospital and later flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with critical injuries. He was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. Dougherty was taken to a hospital in Norfolk with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The crash remains under investigation, and additional details may be released as the review continues. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased victim.
How Do Intersection Crashes Between Large Vehicles and Pickups Happen?
Collisions at intersections often occur when two vehicles arrive at the same time from different directions. When one or both drivers misjudge timing or speed, the chance of a crash increases. Large vehicles like cement trucks take longer to slow or stop, which can make sudden conflicts more dangerous.
Vehicle size and weight differences can also affect the outcome. A pickup struck by a heavier truck may experience greater damage due to the force of impact. Visibility at rural intersections can also play a role, especially if there are few signals or signs controlling traffic.
Other factors may include driver awareness, roadway design, and the clarity of right-of-way markings. These elements can influence how safely vehicles move through intersections.
