NSP: Two people flown to hospital, three cattle die in I-80 crash

PAXTON, Neb. - Eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 were closed Wednesday night two people were life-flighted after a crash involving a semi-tractor-trailer full of cattle.

According to Nebraska State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas, NSP was alerted to a crash at approximately 8:00 p.m. involving a wrong-way vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 near mile marker 145.

Upon arrival, troopers found that the vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, had collided with two semi-trucks in the eastbound lanes. The drivers of all three vehicles were transported by ambulance to Great Plains Health in North Platte. The driver of the Tahoe and one of the semi drivers were later flown to UNMC in Omaha for further treatment. Those injuries are described as serious, Thomas said.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, according to Thomas. One of the semi-trucks was hauling cattle, three of which died as a result of the crash.

The other semi was hauling potatoes.

I-80 eastbound was closed for about three hours during the response and clean-up. Assisting agencies were Paxton Fire, Sutherland Fire, Ogallala Fire, Keith County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, NDOT, Regional West Ambulance, Amy's Towing, Steve's Towing, and Ogallala Livestock Market.

The crash remains under investigation.