Truck driver accused of ramming and injuring Nebraska trooper, leading to pursuit and standoff on I-80

A truck driver was arrested on Thursday after a hit and run with a Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) trooper led to a police pursuit and a one hour long standoff.

The incident began shortly after 5 p.m on Thursday, December 15, when NSP received word about a driver in a semi pulling a flatbed trailer operating recklessly on I-80 near Lincoln.

A NSP trooper attempted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle on I-80 near mile marker 409 after observing the reckless driving behavior.

“After the vehicle pulled over to the shoulder, it accelerated in reverse, striking the trooper’s patrol unit, disabling his unit, and injuring the trooper,” NSP said in a news release.

The semi truck driver then fled west on I-80.

Shortly after the NSP trooper was struck, a Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the truck and tried to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop for police.

A pursuit was initiated.

NSP took over the pursuit as it entered York County.

At the Grand Island interchanges, stop sticks were deployed.

“The semi lost multiple tires, but it continued driving westbound on Interstate 80. During the pursuit, the semi driver attempted to strike multiple patrol vehicles,” NSP said.

The truck was finally brought to a halt near mile marker 252 at 7:45 p.m.

The driver of the truck refused to exit or respond to commands from NSP. After approximately an hour, an NSP canine unit was deployed into the cab of the truck. The driver exited “immediately” and was arrested without further incident.

The truck driver was identified as 56 year old North Dakota resident Kasey Martinson. Charges are pending.

The trooper who was struck by the reversing semi was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and has been released.