Lincoln Police say a nine-year-old girl was struck by an off-duty Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy Wednesday night while riding her bike. Police Chief Teresa Ewins says it happened around 8:00 p.m. near NW 12 Street and Highland Boulevard.
She says Chief Deputy Ben Houchin was in his personal pickup truck when the girl was struck. She was transported to a Lincoln hospital with injuries that are described as serious but non-life threatening.
Sheriff Terry Wagner says through their preliminary investigation Chief Houchin looked down to change the station on his car stereo and collided with the girl. He says there were no driver actions that contributed to the crash.
He says Houchin immediately stopped at the scene and rendered aid. The preliminary information also indicates that speed, drugs, and alcohol were not factors in the crash and no citations have been issued.
“I can speak for all of us at the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in saying that we wish the child and her family a quick and speedy recovery,” Wagner says. “As a parent myself, I cannot imagine the distress this has caused for the child’s parents and family. I know that this event has also been difficult for Chief Deputy Houchin who also has young children of his own.”
Wagner says while praying for a quick recovery for the child, they will continue to work closely with the Lincoln Police Department as they complete their investigation. “We take all employee-involved incidents very seriously and this case will be no different. We ask for the public’s patience as we work to determine the facts in this case.”
