(KLZA)-- Two separate two-vehicle wrecks on Highway 73 north of  Falls City over the weekend sent five people to the hospital.

The first wreck occurred around 5:40 Saturday evening at the intersection with  650 Avenue.

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office report indicated that a westbound SUV driven by 48-year-old Scott Bachman, Sr, of Humboldt collided with a pickup truck driven south on 650 Avenue.  The Sheriff's Office says the pickup, operated by 53-year-old Troy Tucker of Caldwell, Texas failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection.  Tucker proceeded southbound into the intersection in front of the Bachman vehicle.  Bachman attempted to avoid the collision but struck the pickup on the drivers side.

Both drivers refused medical treatment after being assessed by members of the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad.  Two of the three passengers in the Bachman vehicle were transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Falls City---including one with suspected serious injury.   A juvenile passenger was not transported.  The lone passenger in the Tucker vehicle was not transported. 

Tucker was arrested for driving under the influence, causing serious bodily injury, refusal to submit to a pre-test, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Tucker was also cited for reckless driving and violating a stop sign. 

The second wreck occurred around 5:15 Sunday evening east of 651 Avenue on U.S. Highway 73.

The Sheriff's Office says a car driven by 87-year-old Ruth Groothuis of Falls City was stopped in the westbound lane of Highway 73, attempting to turn south in the  St. Paul's Lutheran Church parking lot when she collided with an eastbound pickup truck driven by 30-year-old Lucus Ely of  Brownville.  

The Richardson County Sheriff's Office investigation concluded that Groothuis did no see the Ely vehicle prior to turning.  Ely attempted to avoid the turning vehicle but was struck on the drivers side, causing the pickup to roll into the south ditch. 

He was transported to CMC by private vehicle with suspected serious injuries. Groothuis and two passengers in her vehicle were transported to the hospital in Falls City with suspected minor injuries.

Groothuis was cited for failure to yield as a result of the wreck.