A longtime York educator and coach has died following a crash involving an ATV and a pickup Monday morning in Polk County.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a 911 call at 6:09 a.m. reporting a pickup truck had struck an ATV on Highway 92 east of the F Road intersection. Investigators determined the ATV was traveling westbound on Highway 92 when it was struck from behind by a westbound pickup. The ATV operator was ejected into the north ditch, and both vehicles left the roadway before coming to rest in a tree line. The ATV driver, 70-year-old Randy Johnson of Osceola, was transported to Annie Jeffrey Memorial Health Center in Osceola, where he was later pronounced dead.
In a statement, York Public Schools said staff members were saddened to learn of the death of former teacher and current track coach Randy Johnson. Superintendent Mitch Bartholomew said the district will offer counseling services for students and staff from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday in the York High School counseling office, where crisis team members will be available. Bartholomew added that the district’s thoughts are with the Johnson family.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also extended its condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and thanked Osceola Fire and Rescue, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Augies Auto Body and Repair for their assistance.
