Nebraska man killed in McDonald’s drive-thru 'freak accident'
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
HASTINGS, Neb. - A 69-year-old Grand Island, Nebraska, man died after being pinned between his vehicle and a building in the drive-thru lane of a McDonald’s restaurant, according to authorities.
Dig deeper:
Grand Island Police and Fire Departments said crews were dispatched to the location and found the man trapped between the vehicle and the side of the building.
The investigation determined the driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and was the person who sustained the fatal injuries.
The victim was identified as 69-year-old Michael Dickinson of Grand Island, who was transported to CHI St. Francis Emergency Room and pronounced deceased.
What they're saying:
Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott told KSNB it was "100% a freak accident."
"It appears the deceased opened the door to further reach out the window for payment purposes." Elliott said. "We’re not sure if the vehicle lurched forward or what happened, but he got pinched between the door frame and the drive thru window counter."
Elliott said a McDonald’s employee went outside to assist by entering the vehicle through the passenger side and was injured in the process. The employee was transported to the hospital by ambulance and is expected to recover.
What's next:
The incident remains under investigation.
The Source: Information in this story was provided by the Grand Island Police Department and Grand Island Fire Department, including details from the on-scene investigation. Additional information and comments were shared by Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott in an interview with KSNB. This story was reported from Los Angeles.