A violent collision between a fuel tanker and a pickup has left three people dead.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the North Platte 911 center received a report of a traffic accident at around 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday.  The accident was reported to be near mile marker 76 on US Highway 83, near Lake Maloney.  Residents in the area reported hearing a large explosion.

Law enforcement arrived and discovered a semi hauling a fuel tanker fully engulfed in flames and sitting in the west ditch.  They also located a pickup sitting in the middle of the Highway, which was also on fire and badly damaged.

An investigation revealed that the pickup, driven by 28-year-old Shane O’Conner, of Westminster, Colorado, was traveling northbound, and the semi, driven by 66-year-old Ralph Brandt, of Ovid, Colorado was traveling southbound.

Witnesses told investigators that the pickup attempted to pass a utility vehicle, veered into the southbound lane of traffic, and collided head-on with the semi.

Chief Deputy Roland Kramer says officers located O’Conner inside the pickup, deceased.  His passenger, 32-year-old Craig VanMeter, of North Platte, was ejected from the pickup.  He was transported to Great Plains Health, where he died from his injuries.  Brandt was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Kramer said further investigation revealed that the 2006 Ford pickup had been stolen from Westminster, Colorado.  He also said O’Conner had suspected methamphetamine on his person, and other types of drugs, drug paraphernalia, and alcoholic beverages were found in the pickup.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.