Fatal accident kills panhandle oil man, passenger

Panhandle businessman Bruce Evertson, a prominent figure in the state’s oil industry, was killed in a highway accident on Tuesday along with his passenger, Robin Lapaseotes of Bridgeport.

Evertson, CEO of Evertson Companies in Kimball, was behind the wheel of a Cadillac Escalade traveling east on Nebraska Highway 88 in Morrill County. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, he collided head-on with a westbound semitrailer, driven by Dennis Dobrinski of Bridgeport.

Dobrinski was taken to Regional West Medical Center with what were described as non life threatening injuries. All involved were wearing seat belts, according to the state patrol.

The collision occurred with such force that both vehicles caught fire, the state patrol reported. Authorities shut down a section of Highway 88 stretching from Bridgeport to the intersection with Highway 71 for close to four hours.

Authorities believe weather may have been a factor in the accident, which took place at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Evertson was 64. Lapaseotes was 56.

Evertson started Evertson Well Service in 1974, operating out of Kimball. Eventually the company expanded into six states. Evertson Companies now has a presence in several oil producing countries, as well. He also served a term as president of the Nebraska Independent Oil & Gas Association.