Robert J. Kopejtka, 23, Rock Port, Mo., suffered serious injuries in a one-vehicle accident April 18, 2017, at 2:17 p.m., one-quarter mile east of Watson, Mo.
Kopejtka was northbound on Route D, driving a 1994 GMC straight truck. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s crash report, the vehicle had brake failure and came to a ‘t’ intersection at Route D and Route A. The truck crossed Route A and began to skid, striking an anhydrous ammonia storage tank on private property. The tank was knocked off its supports and tipped over.
Kopejtka was pinned in the cab of the truck. He was transported by Lifenet to University Hospital in Omaha, Neb.
The truck was totalled in the accident. It was towed from the scene by Benefiel’s.
Cpl. M.R. Heits of the Missouri State Highway Patrol was the investigating officer. He was assisted by CVO Chief M.A. McCartney, CVO K.L. Shewey, the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Port Volunteer Fire Department, and West Atchison Fire District.