Two Lincoln residents dead after three-vehicle crash near North Platte

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two Lincoln residents were identified Saturday as the motorists killed in a crash that shut down part of Interstate 80 near North Platte.

Lezter Juarez, 27, and Janice Arriaga-Martinez, 25, died in the crash Friday, which happened during a winter storm.

At about 2:10 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a crash on Interstate 80 near North Platte involving three vehicles.

Officials think a GMC Yukon was going west on I-80 when it lost control, crossed the median and struck an eastbound Honda SUV and a semitrailer.

Juarez and Arriaga-Martinez were ejected from the Yukon.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The four people in the Honda were taken to Great Plains Health in North Platte with serious injuries. Three of them have since been transported to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

The semi driver was not injured, and I-80 was reopened at about 8:30 p.m.

The state patrol urges all drivers to reduce speeds in winter driving conditions. Check 511.Nebraska.gov for updated road conditions throughout the state.

Officials said the patrol responded to 14 crashes and performed 36 motorist assists on Friday into Saturday morning as a result of the storm.