Troopers Arrest Two After Pursuit in Thurston County

July 10, 2025 (Norfolk, Neb.)  — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people following a pursuit in northeast Nebraska Wednesday evening.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, a trooper attempted to stop a Chevrolet Cobalt for speeding and driving left of center on Highway 16, west of Pender. As the trooper attempted the traffic stop, the driver refused to yield and continued driving eastbound toward Pender. The vehicle then fled northbound on Highway 9.

As the vehicle entered Emerson, the trooper was able to successfully perform a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop. After refusing to comply with troopers’ commands for several minutes, the driver and passenger were both taken into custody without further incident.

Both were transported to the hospital in Pender for medical clearance prior to being lodged in jail. While at the hospital both suspects were repeatedly uncooperative.

The driver, Dayton Horton, 38, of Norfolk, was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, making terroristic threats, assault on a peace officer, driving under the influence, and several other charges. The passenger, Darrion Chang, 28, was arrested for obstructing a peace officer, disturbing the peace, and false reporting. Both men were lodged in Thurston County Jail.

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