Former Blairite, Enroute To Visit Here, Traffic Victim

Rural reponse has not come in. May swell the total

An Omaha man, Telford Wood, of 3109 South 69th Avenue, was killed Wednesday evening in a three-car crash on Highway 133 just north of the Douglas county line.

Wood, who is the father of Nick Wood of Blair, was on his way to visit Nick and his wife, the former Cheryl Williby. The Woods live at 1554 Jackson street.

The family had lived in the Washington village area in the south part of this county for about eight years prior to moving to Omaha. They lived on the Elmer Holstein farm.

Later, in 1969, they lived for about a year in Blair.

Mr. Wood, who was an employee of the Brandeis Stores, had previously willed his body to Creighton University for research. As a result, there was no funeral. A memorial service, however, was held at the United Methodist Church at Blair Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock.

According to information gathered by the Washington County Sheriff’s office, Wood was driving his car north, accompanied by another son, Bill. Wood attempted to pass a car and discovered too late, that another was approaching from the opposite direction. His vehicle was caught between the two cars.

Troop William Mach who investigated the accident, said another driver involved in the crash was spun across the highway several times and his car was stuck three times, but he escaped because he was wearing a seat belt.

Wood, who was thrown from his vehicle, was dead on arrival at an Omaha hospital.

Mach said the Wood auto was apparently attempting to pass another vehicle while traveling north on the highway. Realizing he could not pass, he attempted to cut back into his own lane, but was struck at an angle by a southbound car driven by Herbert Miller, 34, of 12404 Oak Street in Omaha.

Wood’s car was shoved down the side, and Wood was thrown onto the shoulder of the road, Mach said.

Miller’s auto bounced from Wood’s car back across the highway, where he collided with another northbound vehicle driven by Richard Lindahl of 3018 North Ninety-seventh Street, Mach said.

Miller’s auto then spun around and the rear of his car again collided with the Lindahl vehicle, Mach said.

Miller was treated and released from Methodist Hospital for facial cuts and bruises to his body. Lindahl was not hurt.

Wood was 69 years of age.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the news article date was used.