Nebraska State Patrol Troopers arrest a semi driver after a hit -and- run crash during a traffic stop in Lincoln injured a trooper, who was checked out at a hospital for minor injuries.
After the collision early Thursday evening, the suspect then drove away, leading to a pursuit, then a hour long stand off between Elm Creek and Overton on 80 before the truck driver was arrested.
Investigators say after the truck was initially pulled over near Lincoln on a report of reckless driving, it accelerated in reverse, striking the trooper’s patrol unit causing injury to the law officer.
The semi then rolled westbound on Interstate 80.
A short time later, a Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy located the semi and also attempted a traffic stop.
The semi driver refused to pull over, and a pursuit commenced.
Troopers took over as the semi entered York County.
They say, as the semi passed the Grand Island interchanges, stop sticks were put down to slow the vehicle.
The semi lost tires, but continued westbound on Interstate 80.
Troopers say during the pursuit, the semi driver attempted to strike patrol aquad cars.
Troopers were eventually able to bring the semi to a stop, but the driver refused to get out of the vehicle or respond to repeated commands from troopers.
NSP says after approximately one hour of attempting to have the driver exit voluntarily, a K9 entered the cab of the semi flushing out the driver, who was taken into custody.
The Patrol identifies the trucker as 56-year old Kasey Martinson of Sanborn, North Dakota.
(Picture from Nebraska State Patrol)