Sioux City couple dies in Cedar County crash

CROFTON — A Sioux City couple died after their vehicle collided with another vehicle at the Highways 81 and 12 junctions.

William Koontz, 74, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. His passenger, Anita, Koontz, 71, was transported to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital where she was also pronounced dead. 

A 911 call was received at 12:03 p.m. Tuesday regarding the two-vehicle collision about four miles east of Crofton. 

A 2011 Ford F-550 driven by Neil Collins, 90, of Orleans, Neb., was driving southbound on Highway 81, approaching the junction with Highway 12 when his vehicle was struck by an eastbound 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by William Koontz. Anita Koontz was his passenger. 

Restraints were not in use in the Koontz vehicle. Collins, who was wearing a restraint, was transported to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. 

The collision was investigated by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office in assistance with the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game & Parks, Crofton Fire & EMS, Randolph EMS and the Nebraska Department of Roads.