Local law enforcement was able to safely end a vehicle pursuit in western Kimball County on Thursday. 

The pursuit began after a Pine Bluffs Police Dept. officer identified a Nissan Altima traveling north on Parsons St. following too close and turned around to observe the drivers behaviors. When the driver noticed the officer they crossed a double line to pass a semi. The officer initiated a pursuit and the driver entered the I-80 eastbound ramp. This is when the Pine Bluffs officer notified his Chief and dispatch of the situation. Dispatch alerted Nebraska authorities of the situation.

The female driver of the grey car and her passenger continued on I-80 eastbound with Pine Bluffs Police continuing the pursuit into Nebraska until Nebraska Troopers were able to take up the pursuit after the Bushnell exit. With two troopers in pursuit, the driver exited I-80 at exit 20 in Kimball before re-entering the Interstate in the westbound lanes. At this time, the troopers asked for spike strips that were deployed by Kimball County Sheriff David Hottell. In an attempt to avoid the strips the driver swerved to the shoulder before over-correcting and going into the shoulder just past the overpass at mile marker 18. Her vehicle traveled over 300 feet and spread debris across the interstate's shoulder before coming to a rest where the pursuing troopers quickly blocked in the vehicle. Both occupants of the car were taken into custody without incident.

Nebraska State Trooper Zach Sporer said the incident remains under investigation. The Kimball Health Services Ambulance, the Kimball Police, the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department, and NDOT also responded to the scene.

Pine Bluffs Police Chief Austin Smith wants to thank the Nebraska State Troopers, Kimball County Sheriff, Kimball Police Department, all first responders and his own officers for finding a safe end to what could have been a dangerous situation. 

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.