3-Year-Old Critically Injured; Funds Set Up For Oakdale Family

An accident involving an entire Oakdale family has left a 3-year-old boy critical and his father in serious condition.

According to Antelope County Sheriff, Bob Moore, five people in the car were transported from the scene of a two-vehicle accident south of the Oakdale Cemetery on Wednesday morning that involved a car and a sanitation truck.

One occupant of the car was in critical condition, two had serious injuries, one had minor injuries and one had no injuries, according to Moore

According to family members, a 3-year-old boy suffered a severe brain injury in the accident. His father, Justin Paulsen, also was transported following the accident with several broken bones, including severe pelvic injury. 

Both the child and his father are being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Justin Paulsen was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix northbound when it collided head-on with a southbound  sanitation truck on 527th Ave. at about 11:10 a.m. 

Also in the Paulsen vehicle were Katy Griffith, the child's mother, and their two other children.

According to Moore, icy road conditions contributed to the accident.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to assist the family with medical expenses. There has been an account set up at the Pinnacle Bank in Neligh and The Village of Oakdale and the Stix Bar are taking donations as well.

The driver of the sanitation truck was taken to Antelope Memorial Hospital by his employer and was treated and released.