The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating three separate crashes that occurred Thursday within a two-mile stretch of Interstate 80 in Dawson County, resulting in multiple injuries and an hours-long highway closure.
The first crash happened around 1 p.m. near mile marker 244 westbound, when a passenger vehicle blew a tire and lost control. A semi hauling cattle overturned while trying to avoid the vehicle. Neither driver was hurt, but 15 of the 36 cattle died.
At 6:50 p.m., a second crash took place about a mile east, when a semi rear-ended a Nebraska Department of Transportation arrow truck parked on the shoulder. The NDOT driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. The semi driver sustained minor injuries.
While troopers diverted traffic off I-80 at mile marker 248, a Chevrolet Sonic bypassed barricades around 7:40 p.m. and rear-ended slowing vehicles at mile marker 246, striking both a pickup and a semi. The Chevy driver and two occupants in the pickup were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Chevy driver was cited for DUI, having an open alcohol container, and driving on a closed roadway.
Westbound I-80 was closed for more than four hours, and multiple agencies responded, including Lexington and Overton Fire Departments, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, AirCare, NDOT, and the Overton Vet Clinic.
All three crashes remain under investigation.