MARCH 6, 2024 (LINCOLN, NEB.) — Troopers arrested two people following pursuits in southeast Nebraska Tuesday.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, a trooper saw a motorcycle speeding on Highway 77 in west Lincoln. As the motorcycle exited at Van Dorn, the trooper attempted a traffic stop. The motorcycle then split between several vehicles stopped at a red light and fled eastbound on Van Dorn. The trooper initiated a pursuit, but quickly discontinued as the NSP helicopter took over the pursuit from the air.
The helicopter tracked the motorcycle as it fled through Lincoln and began traveling south toward Adams. After approximately 45 minutes, the rider came to a stop near the intersection of South 148th Road and East Cedar Road, south of Adams. He was taken into custody without further incident. The rider, Jack Henry, 19, of Lincoln, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, no motorcycle license, and traffic violations. He was lodged in Lancaster County Jail.
At approximately 10:00 p.m., a trooper was on patrol near Nebraska City, driving eastbound on Highway 2 when a wrong-way driver drove past, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. The trooper immediately turned to attempt a traffic stop and alert other eastbound vehicles.
The vehicle, a Chevrolet Trail Blazer, continued westbound in the eastbound lanes for approximately one mile before entering the median. As the trooper prepared to make the traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled, crossing the median and traveling westbound in the westbound lanes. The trooper initiated a pursuit.
The vehicle then turned through the median again and exited Highway 2 onto a private driveway off Steinhart Park Road. The driver was then taken into custody without further incident. The driver, Khamis Pitiya, 45, of Greeley, Colorado was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, driving under the influence (4+ prior convictions), open alcohol container, driving with a revoked license, and traffic violations. He was lodged in Otoe County Jail.
