Authorities identify man killed in tractor vs. semi crash; truck driver arrested

Authorities say a tractor driver died after their tractor was struck by a semitrailer in Gage County.

The crash occurred around 7:50 p.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 77, about a mile north of Pickrell.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office says the tractor was headed north with its hazard lights blinking and traveling as far to the right as possible. The semitrailer struck the left side of the tractor, knocking off a rear wheel, despite a last-second veer by the truck driver.

Authorities say the trucker, identified as Troy Smith, 38, of Crete (pictured above) was distracted. The tractor driver, identified as Robert Snyder Sr., 82, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith suffered minor injuries and was arrested for misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide. Court records don’t show that he’s been formally charged yet.