Beloved grandfather crushed to death in ‘freak accident’ at McDonald’s drive-thru
Dickinson somehow became wedged between the window and his vehicle, police said. KSNB Loal 4
A Nebraska grandfather was killed Tuesday morning in what police described as a tragic and highly unusual accident at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Grand Island.
Michael “Mike” Dickinson, 69, died after becoming pinned between his vehicle and the restaurant’s payment window, according to the Grand Island Police Department. Authorities said the incident occurred when Dickinson opened his car door while attempting to pay.
Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott told KSNB-TV that the incident was “100% a freak accident.” Investigators believe Dickinson opened his door to better reach the payment window, but it remains unclear whether the vehicle moved unexpectedly or another factor contributed. He became trapped between the door frame and the drive-thru counter.
Emergency responders rushed Dickinson to a nearby hospital, but he later died from his injuries, police said.
A McDonald’s employee attempted to help by climbing through the passenger side of the vehicle but was unable to free Dickinson. The employee was injured during the rescue attempt and was also taken to the hospital for treatment.
Dickinson was a devoted grandfather and family man. His daughter shared on Facebook that he had lost his right leg in September 2021 and later received a prosthetic, learning to walk again by the end of that year. The reason for the amputation was not made public.
He and his wife celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in July. The couple had lived in Grand Island their entire lives and attended the same high school.
In online tributes, family members remembered Dickinson as loving, dependable, and always willing to help others. A skilled mechanic, they said he took pride in his work and had a talent for fixing things — a reflection of his character.
“Though his life was cut short, Michael’s love, loyalty, and kindness will live on in the hearts of his family and friends,” relatives wrote. “He will be dearly missed and always remembered.”
The Grand Island Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team continues to investigate the incident.
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