Initial reports of a head-on crash between two tractor trailers on Interstate 80 indicated that one driver was killed, however an update from the Nebraska State Police pegged the total death count at three.
The crash took place on I-80 in Sutherland, Nebraska, shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday. Witnesses say that one tractor trailer crossed the middle line and struck an oncoming semi head-on, near mile marker 169. The collision caused both trucks to catch fire.
UPDATE: NSP confirms 3 people are dead after 2 semis crashed on I-80 near Hershey. @NTVNEWS https://t.co/WkFFKB6i5d pic.twitter.com/W9z5Ol5fgs
— Natalie Martinez (@NMartinezTV) August 22, 2016
Two witnesses pulled a driver out of an engulfed car hauler but they were unable to revive him. The victims were identified as 56-year-old Hieu Trung Le of San Jose, CA, 31-year-old Duy Trong Dao of Sacramento, CA, and 37-year-old Zurabi Mdzeluri of Brooklyn, NY.
The westbound lanes were closed for approximately 9 hours, but have since reopened.
An investigation is still underway to determine why the semi crossed into oncoming traffic.