Two drivers are facing multiple charges after separate high-speed pursuits on Interstate 80 in western Nebraska this week. The Nebraska State Patrol says the first pursuit happened Monday afternoon when a state trooper spotted a motorcycle traveling eastbound on I-80 west of Sidney at more than 90 miles per hour with its hazard lights on.
Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says when the trooper attempted a traffic stop, the rider accelerated, reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Thomas says the pursuit continued eastbound as the motorcycle was driven recklessly, reaching a top speed of 118 miles per hour before slowing and stopping outside Sidney.
42-year-old Arlie McCloy III of West Virginia was arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and multiple traffic violations. He was booked into the Cheyenne County Jail. A second pursuit occurred Tuesday afternoon near Ogallala. Thomas says a trooper stopped a Honda Civic for speeding on I-80 near mile marker 124.
During the stop, investigators say the driver provided a false name before accelerating away as the trooper ordered him out of the vehicle. Thomas says the driver sped through an eastbound construction zone, passing several vehicles on the shoulder.
A second trooper joined the pursuit, and near mile marker 160, a tactical vehicle intervention was used to safely end the chase after the driver refused to stop despite slowing down. 26-year-old Luisebastian Moya Ariza of Colorado was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, obstruction of a peace officer, possession of an open alcohol container and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was booked into the Lincoln County Jail. There were no injuries in either pursuit.