by Grand Island, Nebraska — A routine morning stop at a fast-food drive-thru turned tragic this week after a longtime Grand Island resident was killed in what police are calling a “freak accident” outside a McDonald’s restaurant.
Authorities say Michael “Mike” Dickinson, 69, died Tuesday morning after becoming trapped between his vehicle and the drive-thru payment window while attempting to pay for his order.
Incident Happened at McDonald’s Drive-Thru
According to the Grand Island Police Department, officers were called to a McDonald’s location in Grand Island following reports of a serious accident in the drive-thru lane.
Police say Dickinson was positioned at the payment window when something went wrong as he attempted to complete his transaction. Investigators believe he opened his car door to reach further toward the window, at which point the situation escalated unexpectedly.
Police Call It a “100% Freak Accident”
Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott told local outlet KSNB-TV that early findings point to a tragic accident rather than any form of criminal wrongdoing.
“It appears the deceased opened the door to further reach out of the window for payment purposes,” Elliott said.
“We’re not sure if the vehicle lurched forward or what happened, but he became pinned between the door frame and the drive-thru window counter.”
Elliott described the incident as “100% a freak accident,” emphasizing that nothing about the scene suggested intentional harm or negligence.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Dickinson was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe, life-threatening injuries, but despite emergency medical treatment, he could not be saved, police confirmed.
During the incident, a McDonald’s employee attempted to help by climbing through the passenger side of the vehicle in an effort to free Dickinson. The employee was injured during the rescue attempt and was also taken to the hospital for treatment, according to police.
No update has been provided on the employee’s condition.
Victim Remembered as Devoted Family Man
Family members described Dickinson as a dedicated grandfather and husband, deeply involved in the lives of those around him.
In a social media post, his daughter shared that Dickinson had his right leg amputated in September 2021. He later received a prosthetic and worked tirelessly to relearn how to walk, a process his family described as challenging but inspiring. The reason for the amputation has not been publicly disclosed.
Despite health setbacks, loved ones say Dickinson remained active and positive.
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Longtime Grand Island Resident
Dickinson and his wife had lived in Grand Island their entire lives and even attended the same high school, according to family posts. The couple celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary earlier this year in July.
Relatives shared messages of remembrance during their first Christmas without him, recalling his reliability, kindness, and willingness to help whenever someone was in need.
A Life Defined by Hard Work and Service
Family members described Dickinson as a skilled and hardworking mechanic who took pride in fixing things and helping others.
“Michael took pride in his work and had a gift for fixing what was broken,” the family wrote. “It reflected who he was — reliable, practical, and dedicated.”
They added that while his life was cut short, his values and love would continue to live on through those who knew him.
Investigation Still Ongoing
The Accident Reconstruction Team with the Grand Island Police Department is continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials say the investigation is focused on understanding the exact sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
At this time, police have not indicated that any charges or safety violations are expected.
As the community mourns, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly everyday moments can turn tragic — even in the most familiar settings.
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a close call in a drive-thru or parking lot? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
