An 18-year-old man from Colorado is facing multiple charges after fleeing Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) troopers in a high-speed chase and subsequent manhunt Thursday evening.
NSP Spokesman Cody Thomas said, around 7:30 p.m., a trooper near Big Springs saw an Infinity Q50 traveling over 100 miles per hour on Interstate 80. After driver refused to pull over and continued eastbound on I-80, the trooper initiated a pursuit.
During the chase, the suspect vehicle reached speeds of 140 miles per hour and passed vehicles on the shoulder. “Which is extremely dangerous,” Thomas said.
Near the village of Sutherland, around mile marker 155, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed spike strips to slow the vehicle. The vehicle exited I-80 at the Sutherland interchange and came to a stop on Highway 25. At this time, the driver fled on foot while the passenger stayed in the vehicle and surrendered.
“We deployed a couple K-9’s, drones, and even our air-wing to help in the search,” Thomas said. Troopers and Lincoln County Deputies searched the area for roughly one hour before finding the driver in a fielded area.
The 18-year-old driver from Colorado was located and taken into custody without further incident. A search of the vehicle revealed psilocybin mushrooms, THC edibles, drug paraphernalia, and a bottle of alcohol.
The driver was booked into Lincoln County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, no operator’s license, and other charges. The passenger, also an 18-year-old male from Colorado, was cited for minor in possession of alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia.