Trucker arrested after Nebraska hit-and-run leads to chase, standoff

Nebraska State Patrol vehicle
NSP

A North Dakota truck driver was arrested Thursday, Dec. 15 after a hit-and-run with a Nebraska State Trooper, a pursuit, and an hour-long standoff on Interstate 80.

A statement from the troopers said the incident began at about 5:10 p.m. after they received information regarding a semi pulling a flatbed trailer that was driving recklessly on Interstate 80 near Lincoln. A trooper observed the truck driving recklessly and attempted a traffic stop near mile marker 409.

Troopers say that after the vehicle pulled over to the shoulder, it accelerated in reverse, striking the trooper’s patrol unit, disabling the vehicle, and injuring the trooper. The vehicle then fled westbound on Interstate 80.

A short time later, according to the NSP, a Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy located the semi and also attempted a traffic stop. The truck's driver refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated.

Troopers took over the pursuit as the semi entered York County, according to the NSP. As the semi passed the Grand Island interchanges, stop sticks were deployed to slow the vehicle. The semi lost multiple tires, but it continued driving westbound on Interstate 80. The troopers say during the pursuit, the truck's driver attempted to strike multiple patrol vehicles.

NSP officers were able to bring the semi to a stop near mile marker 252 at about 7:45 p.m. The driver of the semi refused to exit the vehicle or respond to repeated commands from troopers. After about an hour of attempting to have the driver exit voluntarily, an NSP K9 was deployed into the cab of the truck. The driver then exited immediately and was taken into custody, according to the troopers.

The troopers' statement says the driver was identified as Kasey Martinson, 56, of Sanborn, North Dakota. Charges are pending.

The injured trooper was transported to Bryan Health Center West Campus by another trooper and has been treated for minor injuries and released.