A 14-year-old Bertrand High School student has died as a result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident that occurred just before 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the intersection of Highway 23 and A Road, which is located just east of Bertrand, NE. Preliminarily, law enforcement investigators have determined that a Dodge pickup, originally traveling westbound on Highway 23, was attempting to turn south onto A Road when it turned into the path of a semi tractor trailer heading eastbound on Highway 23.
The deceased Bertrand High School student was a passenger in the pickup and has been identified as Connor Hill of Holdrege, Nebraska. The driver of the pickup was air-lifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney with severe injuries but is expected to survive. The driver of the tractor trailer was taken to Phelps Memorial Hospital, in Holdrege, with only minor injuries and was subsequently released.
The Nebraska State Patrol, in conjunction with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, is currently conducting an investigation and accident reconstruction of this morning’s incident. The results of their investigation will ultimately be forwarded to the Phelps County Attorney’s Office for its review and determination if any charges are warranted. As is standard practice, the Phelps County Attorney’s Office has requested that an autopsy be performed on the 14-year old victim.
The aftermath of this morning’s crash, as well as the ensuing investigation, forced the closure of Highway 23 for approximately five hours. First responders from Bertrand, the Holdrege Police Department and several other surrounding communities provided invaluable assistance with this morning’s events and are to be commended for their professionalism and coordinated response under such tragic circumstances.
Additional details will be provided as circumstances warrant and details emerge from the on-going investigation.
