Central Nebraska Today
SUTHERLAND — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident that was reported Monday north of Sutherland (near the intersection of North Prairie Trace Road and West Snake Road) involving a vehicle that had left the roadway and struck a tree.
Upon arrival, Sutherland first responders were attending to the male driver , who was outside the vehicle. Deputies were informed by responders that the female passenger was deceased. The driver was identified as 24-year-old, Alexander Gomez of Sutherland and the passenger identified as 22-year-old, Jade Torres of Sutherland.
Sheriff Jerome Kramer says evidence at the scene indicated that the vehicle, a 2014 Ford Explorer, was traveling southbound at a very high rate of speed. The vehicle went airborne when it crossed the railroad tracks, landed and then went airborne a second time. While airborne, the vehicle rolled a quarter turn. The roof of the Explorer was completely crushed into the passenger compartment by a very large cottonwood tree.
Gomez was transported to Great Plains Health in North Platte where he consented to a blood/alcohol test, which showed positive for alcohol. It was determined that he sustained a fractured neck, collapsed right lung, a fractured shoulder blade and bruising of the brain. At last report, Gomez was still being cared for at Great Plains Health.
Sheriff Kramer reports that he will be arrested at a later date.
