Wallace Martin, Randall Franklin Obituary, Death; Officials release names of 3 men killed in Phelps County crash
Wallace Martin, Randall Franklin Obituary, Death – Authorities in Phelps County have released the identities of three men who lost their lives in a devastating three-vehicle crash that occurred late Friday evening west of Funk. The victims were identified as 67-year-old Wallace Martin of Holdrege, 36-year-old Randall Franklin of Funk, and 34-year-old Justin Mason of Arapahoe. Final autopsy reports for the three men have not yet been completed, according to officials.
The collision took place shortly after 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 6 and T Road. Emergency services responded quickly after receiving the 911 call. Upon arrival, first responders discovered the scene was chaotic, with two of the vehicles engulfed in flames. A Chevy Silverado and a Ford F-250 had sustained severe crash-related damage and were ablaze when crews arrived. Firefighters worked urgently to put out the fires before being able to fully assess the extent of the destruction.
In addition to the Silverado and the Ford pickup, a third vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, was found with heavy front-end and driver’s side damage. The crash left multiple people injured, some in critical condition.
The sole occupant of the Ford F-250, a 35-year-old man from Axtell, was rescued from the burning vehicle and rushed to CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. As of Wednesday, officials reported that he remains in serious but stable condition as he continues to receive treatment.
The Chevy Suburban carried a 35-year-old woman from Minden and a minor child. Due to the severity of her injuries, the woman was airlifted to a Kansas City area hospital, where she remains in serious condition. The child passenger, fortunately, was examined by medical staff and released without any significant injuries.
Once firefighters successfully extinguished the flames consuming the Silverado, they discovered the remains of Martin, Franklin, and Mason inside. Authorities confirmed that all three men had died from the injuries sustained in the crash and subsequent fire. Their deaths have left three separate communities mourning.
Phelps County Attorney Corey O’Brien stated that the investigation is ongoing but progressing rapidly. Authorities are piecing together what led to the deadly incident by reviewing crash reconstruction data, medical records, and witness accounts. Investigators are also analyzing video footage of the crash to gain more clarity about the sequence of events.
Officials hope to have preliminary results soon, which will be shared with the Phelps County Attorney’s Office. These findings may help determine whether criminal charges are warranted in connection with the crash. While no conclusions have been drawn yet, investigators remain committed to uncovering the full circumstances behind the tragedy.
The crash has shaken residents in the affected towns, as the victims were members of neighboring communities within Phelps County. As investigations continue, officials emphasize that their priority remains supporting the surviving victims and families of those who lost their lives while ensuring accountability if negligence is found to have played a role.
This tragic crash underscores how quickly lives can be altered, leaving behind grief and unanswered questions as the community awaits the results of the investigation.
