A routine fast-food stop turned tragic in Nebraska when a man was killed in what police are calling a rare and devastating accident at a McDonald’s drive-through.
Authorities say 69-year-old Michael Dickinson died after becoming pinned between his vehicle and the side of the McDonald’s building in Grand Island, Nebraska, just after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Dickinson was rushed to St. Francis Hospital, but he did not survive his injuries.
Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott described the incident as a “freak accident,” saying investigators believe Dickinson opened his car door to better reach the payment window.
“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 exactly what happened, but he got pinched between the door frame and the drive-through window counter.”
Police said Dickinson was the only person inside the vehicle at the time.
As the incident unfolded, a McDonald’s employee ran outside to try to help. Elliott said the worker attempted to reach Dickinson by climbing into the car through the passenger side but was injured in the process.
The employee was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Grand Island Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team is assisting with the investigation as authorities work to determine exactly how the accident occurred.
Despite the tragedy, police said the scene was cleared within about two hours, and the drive-through later reopened while the investigation continued.
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