An Omaha man was injured Thursday morning after he stepped from a van and was hit by a passing Jeep.
Joseph Rynkol, 27, suffered a skull fracture and was taken to Creighton University Medical Center in critical condition. At midday, his condition was listed as critical but stable.
“His injuries are serious,'' said Omaha Police Sgt. Joe Collins, “but he's doing better than we thought he would.''
The crash happened about 9 a.m. as Rynkol stepped out of the passenger side of a van that had pulled over to the north side of westbound Missouri Avenue near 19th Street. Rynkol was struck by the westbound Jeep after he walked in front of the van and into traffic.
Police said Rynkol had returned to the area to retrieve his lunch.
Witnesses told police that the Jeep driver's view of Rynkol was blocked when he stepped in front of the van.
The Jeep Cherokee's driver was not injured or ticketed, Collins said.
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