Three people were taken to the hospital after a two-car crash at 70th and O Street Saturday night. LPD says 9:00 an officer saw a purple Dodge Charger driving recklessly near 84th and O Streets. He attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle took off west on O Street,” says Public Information Officer Erika Thomas.
“The officer did not pursue the car due to safety concerns but also continued driving west.” Moments later the officer arrived at 70th and O Streets where the Charger had collided with a Nissan Murano and caught on fire.
Lincoln Fire & Rescue arrived on scene and helped remove victims from vehicles and began immediate life-saving measures. The driver of the Charger, 19-year-old Jayden Blake, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. LPD said early Sunday morning that those injuries are no longer life threatening.
A man and woman in the SUV were taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police say when Blake is released from the hospital he will be cited for willful reckless driving and operating a vehicle to avoid arrest.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.