Fatal Crash Involves State Patrol Investigator

OCTOBER 21, 2021 (NORFOLK, NEB.)  — The Nebraska State Patrol has requested that the Thurston and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Offices investigate a fatal crash that involved an NSP investigator in the early morning hours Thursday near Walthill.

The incident occurred this morning at approximately 5:08 a.m., when an NSP investigator was southbound on Highway 77. The investigator was on duty and driving an unmarked NSP vehicle. As the vehicle was approximately one mile north of Walthill, it struck a pedestrian in the southbound lane of Highway 77.

The investigator immediately called for paramedics. Macy Rescue responded to the scene, but the pedestrian, an adult female, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation shows that the pedestrian had left a rural home on the east side of Highway 77, crossed the northbound lane of Highway 77, and was in the southbound lane at the time the collision. No other persons were injured in the incident.

“We are heartbroken at this tragic incident,” said Colonel John Bolduc. “Our condolences are with the family of the pedestrian and our thoughts are also with our investigator who was involved in this unfortunate situation.”

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is the primary investigating agency. NSP has also requested assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office with the crash reconstruction investigation.

LPD Identifies Pedestrian Hit Wednesday Morning Along Highway 77