Sunday Morning Fatality Near Palmer

(Merrick County, NE) - At approximately 7:19 a.m. on Sunday, August 11th, Merrick County Sheriff Deputies were detailed to Highway 92 near 4th Road in rural Merrick County near Palmer regarding a two-vehicle injury accident. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix was traveling westbound on Highway 92, crossing the center of the roadway into the eastbound lane resulting in a collision with an eastbound 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and stock trailer. The driver and sole occupant of the Pontiac Grand Prix, identified as Joshua Roesler, 20 years old, of Elba, Nebraska, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Roesler was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, and it is unknown if alcohol is a contributing factor at this time. The driver and all three occupants of the Chevrolet Silverado were not injured. Seatbelts were used at the time of the accident.