Homeowner Arrested After Running Over Children In Tent

Four juveniles were injured late Sunday evening when a van struck an occupied tent in the backyard of a home in Oakdale.

According to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore, Stephen Barrington, 42, was driving a 1998 Plymouth Voyager Sport Van at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday and struck a tent located in Barrington’s backyard at 708 5th Street.

Five boys ages 8-13 were in the tent. Moore said three were transported to Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh and one to Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk. As of Monday morning, the boys taken to AMH had been released. The one taken to Faith Regional sustained the most serious injuries and was expected to be released in the next day or two.

LifeNet was placed on standby at the time of the accident but was not utilized.

Moore said Barrington has been charged with DUI first offense and reckless driving. He was arrested at the scene without incident and is being held on 10 percent $20,000 bond.

Moore said according to witnesses, Barrington and his wife, Francis Barrington, were arguing at the home just prior to the incident. Stephen Barrington accelerated his vehicle and struck the tent, fire pit and other items in the yard.

Moore said responding to the call were the Antelope County Sheriff’s Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Nebraska State Patrol, City of Neligh Police, Midwest Medical Transport, Tilden Fire & Rescue and Neligh Fire & Rescue.