Two killed, at least 19 injured Sunday in two-vehicle crash near car show in Lincoln, Nebraska
May 31—LINCOLN, Nebraska — Two people were killed and at least 19 others were injured Sunday after a two-vehicle crash struck a crowd during a hotrod car show in Lincoln, Nebraska.
According to Lincoln Police Teresa Ewins, shortly before 11 p.m. on Sunday, a Ford Taurus was traveling westbound on O Street when it struck a Toyota Corolla that was facing eastbound, waiting to make a left turn.
After the initial impact, both vehicles were forced onto O Street's north sidewalk, where a large crowd was gathered to observe Americruise — a classic and hotrod car show that has come to Lincoln since the 1990s. When the vehicles reached the sidewalk, the Ford rolled, pinning two pedestrians underneath. Bystanders were able to quickly free those trapped.
A 22-year-old Omaha, Nebraska, woman and 20-year-old Lincoln woman, both occupants of the Toyota, were pronounced dead at the scene. The 18-year-old driver of the Ford was transported to a local hospital and, as of Monday afternoon, was in a critical, but stable condition.
Dave Engler, chief of the Lincoln Fire Department, said emergency personnel quickly arrived on scene and extinguished "a couple" small fires before beginning triage protocol, separating individuals and patients based on the severity of their injuries.
Fire and EMS crews transported eight victims to a hospital for treatment, while at least twelve others were treated on scene and released or self-transported to a hospital. All pedestrians reportedly received non-life threatening injuries.
"[Emergency crews] quickly identified this was a multi-casualty incident and notified healthcare facilities," Engler said. "In all, we had six medic units, four engine companies, two truck companies, ... one EMS supervisor and one battalion chief respond."
While there was a higher than normal police presence in the area in the time leading up to the crash, Ewins hinted that changes were coming to how authorities will handle the event in the future.
"We had people out there because Americruise does bring additional people. ... At the time of this collision, there weren't a lot of people out — the cars weren't flowing down the street as is normal per this event," Ewins said. "We will be changing a lot of things in regards to people that are coming to Lincoln to cause havoc like that. It's not acceptable, and yes, things will change."
Despite her comment,
a press release from the Lincoln Police Department
said officials do not believe the act was intentional.
As the investigation continues, Ewins said it is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol are contributing factors. Police are in the process of reviewing "good video" of the crash, but continue to ask any witnesses to share video or photographic evidence.
The Lincoln Police Department said they will "work tirelessly to determine what occurred and hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable."
