Child dies in UTV crash while getting materials for treehouse he was building with older brother

BENNET, Neb. (KOLN/Gray News) – A boy in Nebraska is dead and another boy is left injured after a UTV crash Monday.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said the crash was reported late afternoon on private property in Bennet.

On Tuesday, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said a 7-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash.

In a letter sent to families, the Bennet-Palmyra school district said the boy was identified as Charles Kohl, a second-grade student at Bennet Elementary.

“The loss of a child is a pain no family should have to ever go through, and we are so sorry for your loss,” Houchin said.

The other boy involved was confirmed to be a 9-year-old brother. He was reportedly the one driving the UTV and suffered a broken leg in the crash.

Houchin said deputies had to remove the UTV from the victims and administer CPR before paramedics arrived. An investigation showed the boys made a sharp turn, and the UTV rolled over.

Houchin said the boys were coming back from getting tools and materials to build a treehouse when the crash happened.

“There was another child riding an ATV who was with them, who was going to go help build it ... he rode it to his mom, who called 911,” Houchin said.

District OR-1 schools were closed Tuesday to allow students, families and staff to grieve and access mental health resources.

“The well-being of our students, families, and staff is our utmost priority as we navigate this tragic loss together,” the school district said in the letter. Classes are expected to resume Wednesday.