Trooper’s Patrol Vehicle Struck While Directing Traffic on I-80

June 12, 2025 (Ogallala, Neb.)  — A Nebraska State Trooper narrowly escaped injury after his patrol vehicle was struck on I-80 overnight in western Nebraska.

At approximately 12:00 a.m. MT Thursday, troopers were called to the scene of a broken down semi blocking a lane of travel on I-80 between Roscoe and Ogallala. That area of I-80 is currently under construction with only one lane open in each direction of travel.

As troopers were directing vehicles to keep traffic flowing through the area, a westbound semi failed to slow down and struck a trooper’s parked cruiser. The semi then struck the trailer of an eastbound semi.  The trooper was not in his patrol vehicle at the time and was able to run out of the way to avoid the collision. There were no injuries in the crash.

The Nebraska State Patrol has requested the Keith County Sheriff’s Office conduct the crash investigation. The driver of the semi was cited for reckless driving. I-80 was closed for over an hour after the crash.