(York, NE) -- An investigation is underway following a fatal crash during a pursuit near York, Nebraska.
The Nebraska State Patrol says around 7:45 Friday morning, a trooper observed an eastbound Jeep Wrangler driving on the shoulder and following another vehicle too closely on Interstate 80. The state patrol says the trooper tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused and accelerated to over 100 miles per hour. The trooper then initiated a pursuit.
The NSP says after several miles, the Jeep exited I-80 and began driving on county roads south of the interstate in York County. Investigators say the vehicle then entered a field and continued fleeing southbound. When the vehicle drove through a fence and continued into a pasture, the trooper did not pursue through the fence.
The state patrol says the vehicle continued southbound through the field, while the trooper drove back north to connect with the nearest county road. The York County Sheriff’s Office and Seward County Sheriff’s Office then picked up the pursuit as the vehicle continue southbound. Moments later, the suspect vehicle struck a bridge guardrail and crashed. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle.
NSP says the passenger, identified as 30 year old Melissa Hernandez of North Platte, was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver, 30 year old Christopher Brewer also of North Platte, was not seriously injured and was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies. Investigators say methamphetamine was located at the crash scene.
Brewer was treated for minor injuries at the hospital in York and has since been lodged in York County Jail for motor vehicle homicide, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving (2nd offense), driving under suspension, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver, and numerous traffic violations. The York County Attorney has assigned the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct the crash investigation. The entire incident lasted approximately 15 minutes.