STANTON, Neb. -- A 77-year-old woman was hospitalized after a crash near Stanton Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 5:00 p.m., the Stanton County Sheriff's Office responded to a one-vehicle crash just west of Stanton.

According to Sheriff Mike Unger, the driver of the vehicle was westbound on Highway 24 just outside of town.

Unger said his office's investigation indicated that the woman likely tried to secure a partially open driver's door, and, while doing so, she lost control of her van. Unger said she then crossed over the eastbound lane and entered a south ditch at highway speeds, falling out of the van through the driver's door and into the ditch as the van continued to roll through a grove of trees and a fence line. The van then came to rest in a farm field.

The driver was initially unconscious and was taken to Faith Regional by Stanton Rescue for treatment. She was later transferred to UNMC in Omaha.

Unger said seatbelts do not appear to have been in use. The van is considered a total loss.