EMT-to-be puts training to work at scene where trooper, two others injured

Van Stelton

STRATTON, Nebraska -- A McCook, Nebraska, High School senior with two weeks of classes left before he finishes EMT training was among those first on the scene of a fiery two-car collision west of Stratton early, early Sunday morning.

Austin Molcyk of McCook protests claims that he's a hero because of his actions at the accident scene. "I didn't do anything special," Austin said Tuesday morning. "God put me where I was needed, and my training took over."

The accident happened about 2 a.m., four miles west of Stratton on Highway 34, when an eastbound Ford Focus driven by an unlicensed 17-year-old male drifted across the center line and struck the westbound cruiser of Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Jeffrey Van Stelton, 28, nearly head-on.

Molcyk

Austin and other members of Jesse Stevens' DJ Express crew -- Jesse, Andy Durner and Nick Alberts -- had deejayed the prom for Bird City, Kansas, High School and were returning to McCook. Andy was the first on the scene, followed by Austin.

"The car (Van Stelton's Dodge Charger in the south ditch) was on more than fire -- it was an inferno," Austin said. "The trooper was already out of his car when I got there, and he shouted at me to help the woman in the other car."

Austin said he spent all his time then with the woman who was trapped inside the car. Rescue personnel was arriving, and they had to use Jaws of Life to extricate her and the boy who had been driving.

Van Stelton and the woman, identified later as 40-year-old Antonia Valdez Lopez, were transported to Community Hospital in McCook, and then flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. The driver of the Ford, whose name has not been released by the Patrol, was taken to Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.

Van Stelton and Valdez Lopez are both listed in serious condition at the hospital in Kearney. The 17-year-old has been released from the Benkelman hospital.

Rescue personnel on the scene were from Stratton and Benkelman.

Those wanting to help the Van Stelton family ease the costs of travel, lodging, meals and other expenses during Van Stelton's recovery may make donations to a fund started by McCook National Bank.

Contributions can be made to the "Van Stelton Family Fund" account at any MNB location or drive-thru.