A routine Tuesday morning visit to a McDonald's drive-thru in Nebraska ended in tragedy when a 69-year-old man became trapped between his vehicle and the building, ultimately costing him his life.
When police and firefighters arrived, they found Dickinson trapped in the drive-thru lane. He was the only one in his vehicle and the only person who sustained fatal injuries.
He was transported to CHI St. Francis Emergency Room, where he was pronounced dead.
What exactly happened remains unclear, but authorities have characterized the incident as a "freak accident."
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, which was cleared at 12:35 p.m., police said. The McDonald's remained open thereafter.
During the immediate aftermath, a McDonald's employee attempted to help Dickinson by going through the passenger side of the vehicle. The employee was injured during this attempt and was taken to the hospital by ambulance, but is expected to be okay, Elliot said.
The page also noted that Dickinson cherished his dogs, "who were constant companions and a great source of joy in his life." His professional life reflected similar values. "A skilled and hardworking mechanic, Michael took pride in his work and had a gift for fixing what was broken. It reflected who he was—reliable, practical, and dedicated," the memorial stated.
Dickinson's family established the GoFundMe to help cover funeral services. As of the fundraising page's most recent update, more than $1,800 had been raised toward a $6,000 goal.