Nebraska State Police (NSP) say that at least five people lost their lives in multi-vehicle crashes that took place on I-80 between Lincoln and York yesterday.
“It’s been a bad day on I-80 between Lincoln and York with multiple fatality crashes,” NSP tweeted just after noon yesterday.
I-80 eastbound is closed west of the Seward interchange due to a multi vehicle accident. More info to come. pic.twitter.com/55v0fYNuvs
— Tyler Cavalli (@RadioCavalli) May 6, 2018
The series of crashes began around 7:30 a.m. near the Milford Exit when a westbound car carrying five people overcorrected after hitting rumble strips on the shoulder of I-80, crossing into the median and then colliding with and eastbound car, according to York News Times. Three passengers were ejected and died instantly. One other passenger died at the scene. The twenty-year old motorist from the westbound car was airlifted with life threatening injuries. The 76 year old driver of the eastbound car also suffered life threatening injuries.
The next crash happened around 10 a.m. close to mile marker 378. NSP says that 33 year old semi truck driver Abdiaziz Jama failed to slow for traffic and caused a fiery chain reaction crash involving two other semi trucks and a pickup. Jama was killed in the crash. His passenger, 30 year old Mohamed Apdullahi, was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Police believe that Jama may have been texting just before the crash. The NSP helicopter was brought in to assist with this crash.
Another crash happened around 11:35 a.m. near the Utica Exit when 68 year old SUV driver Jeffrey Eymann rear ended a semi truck. Eymann was taken to the hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. The truck driver wasn’t hurt.
Last week, I-80 in Nebraska was shut down for two days in a row while dust storms contributed to deadly multi-vehicle crashes. Blowing dust was not thought to be a factor in Sunday’s series of crashes.