Names Released In Sunday Fatality Accident Near Royal

The name of the person killed in a one-vehicle accident near Royal on Sunday night has been released by the Antelope County Sheriff's Department.

Rodney G. Zwygart, 63, of rural Norfolk, died at the scene after the vehicle he was riding in struck two cows and hit a tree west of Royal, according to Sheriff Bob Moore.

The sheriff said Zwygart was a front-seat passenger in a 2012 Lincoln Navigator, which was being driven by his wife, Marilyn Zwygart, 55.

Moore said the driver was extricated from the vehicle and was transported with injuries to Alegent Health in Plainview. Two other passengers - Randal Meyer, 64, and Robert Meyer, 87, both of Randolph - sustained injuries and were transported to Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh. They were later transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Moore said a 911 call came in at 10:57 p.m. He said the vehicle was eastbound when it struck two Black Angus cows, went out of control, entered the north ditch and then hit a large tree near the intersection of Hwy. 20 and 518th Avenue. Moore said alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and three of the four occupants were not wearing seat belts.

The Orchard Jaws of Life was called to the scene, as were the Orchard Fire Department, Royal Fire Department, Midwest Medical Transport, Orchard Rescue, Plainview Rescue and Neligh Rescue.​

Moore said the cattle were owned by Cory Curtis of Royal. 

The Antelope County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the accident with assistance from the Neligh Police Department.