Verlin Hunt of Battlefield, Missouri dies in fatal Mormon Island recreation area crash
Fatal Mormon Island recreation area crash death of Verlin Hunt of Battlefield, Missouri – Obituary
A semi-truck driver, Verlin Hunt, 69, from Battlefield, Missouri, tragically lost his life after his vehicle veered off the interstate and plunged into the far west lake at the Mormon Island recreation area shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Hunt was the sole occupant of the truck during the incident.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and discovered the semi-truck and its trailer partially submerged along the lake’s south shore. Firefighters equipped with water rescue gear approached the truck’s cab and found Hunt inside. Despite life-saving efforts, Hunt was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary findings indicate that the 2020 Freightliner was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 when it crossed the median and both westbound lanes, descending a steep embankment before entering the lake.
Authorities do not suspect alcohol involvement, and Hunt was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. An accident reconstructionist has been called to continue the investigation.
The crash resulted in a diesel fuel spill into the lake, prompting an environmental cleanup team’s response to manage the contamination.
Lt. Mike Korte of the Nebraska State Patrol noted that while the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80, the reason for it leaving the roadway remains unknown and is still under investigation.
Fatal Mormon Island recreation area crash death of Verlin Hunt of Battlefield, Missouri – Obituary A semi-truck driver, Verlin Hunt, 69, from Battlefield, Missouri, tragically lost his life after his vehicle veered off the interstate and plunged into the far west lake at the Mormon Island recreation area shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Hunt…
Fatal Mormon Island recreation area crash death of Verlin Hunt of Battlefield, Missouri – Obituary A semi-truck driver, Verlin Hunt, 69, from Battlefield, Missouri, tragically lost his life after his vehicle veered off the interstate and plunged into the far west lake at the Mormon Island recreation area shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Hunt…