Two killed, 20 injured in Lincoln crash

LINCOLN, Neb. - Two people were killed and 20 more were injured in a late-night crash that shut down a chunk of O Street in Lincoln.

According to Lincoln Police, O Street was closed between 48th and 56th Streets, with traffic re-opening at approximately 5 a.m., over six hours hours after the crash.

LPD said several of the injured people were pedestrians, including one with life-threatening injuries. There were at least three vehicles involved in the crash, with the two female fatality victims having been occupants in one of the vehicles. The women were aged 20 and 22, according to LPD.

According to Bryan Medical Center, staff from its hospitals treated ten people injured in the crash, including seven at Bryan West and three at Bryan East. One of those people is in critical condition, while another is in serious condition. Eight patients were treated and released from the hospital, according to a press release.

Witnesses said the crash occurred at a Lincoln cruise night event just before 11:00 p.m., with the incident later dubbed a mass casualty event.

Details of the cruise night are not clear. Authorities have previously said that some drivers have attempted dangerous maneuvers to excite the crowd, such as burnouts and speeding. LPD said none of the officers assigned to monitor the event witnessed the crash, but law enforcement reached the scene within a minute.

According to LPD Capt. Todd Kocian, a black Ford Taurus was travelling westbound on O Street at 10:47 p.m. when it struck a white Toyota Corolla that was facing eastbound.

After the initial impact, both vehicles were forced onto the north sidewalk of O Street, west of North 52nd Street, striking multiple people where crowds were standing and seated to observe the event.

Kocian said authorities do not believe it was an intentional act. The investigation is ongoing.