Orchard man dies in head-on collision

A March 6 crash, near Neligh, claimed the life of an Orchard man and injured another individual.

The collision occurred at approximately 3:49 p.m., near the Antelope County Road Department shed, east of Neligh on Highway 275, said Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore.

Billy Ziegenbein, 76, of Orchard, was traveling west in a 1997 Ford pickup when the front driver’s side tire blew out, causing the pickup to swerve into the eastbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with another vehicle.

Dean Baker, 76, of Columbus, was driving a 1997 Ford Econoline van. He attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so, according to Moore.

Ziegenbein was pronounced dead at the scene.

Baker was transported to Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh. He was airlifted to a trauma center.

In addition to the Antelope County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Neligh Fire, Neligh Rescue and Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life responded to the call.

Services for Ziegenben are scheduled for Thursday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m., at the Royal Auditorum in Royal. Burial will be in the Royal Cemetery.