The Holt County Sheriff’s Department responded to two seperate accidents on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The first accident occurred at 7:50 am on US Highway 281, 4 miles north of O’Neill, near 877 Avenue. It was a single-vehicle accident involving Michael Simon, driving a 2010 Ford Focus. The driver of the car was Southbound on US 281 and became dizzy and blacked out. The vehicle left the roadway on the west side of the roadway and continued south, impacting the north side of the embankment. The car continued south over the roadway of 877 Ave and struck the South side of the south ditch, through the fence, and flipped onto its top. O’Neill Fire and Rescue was on scene to render aid and minimize injury to the driver, who was transported to Avera St. Anthony’s to be treated for his injuries. The accident was investigated by Holt County Sheriffs Office.
The second accident occurred around 4:53 pm. A 2017 Ford F150, driven by Kyle Sobotka was Southbound on Hwy 281. A 2014 Chrysler 200 LX, driven by Daniel Nickeson, was Northbound on Hwy 281. The Chrysler traveling Northbound crossed over the center line into the Southbound Lane. Sobotka, driving the 2017 Ford in the Southbound Lane attempted to avoid the oncoming Chrysler but was unable to avoid the collision. The Chrysler collided with the 2017 Ford F150 in the Southbound Lane. The 2017 Ford came to rest on the shoulder of the Southbound Lane. The Chrysler continued Northbound after the impact, spun around, and came to rest facing westbound across both lanes of traffic on Hwy 281. Sobotka was uninjured in the collision. His 2017 Ford F150 was totaled in the collision. Nickeson had to be extracted from the vehicle by O’Neill Fire and Rescue. Nickeson was transported by O’Neill Fire and Rescue to Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill. Both Vehicles sustained major damage and were towed from the scene.
