State patrol arrests Nebraska man after wrong-way pursuit on Interstate 80

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska State Patrol arrested an Elmwood man Thursday after a pursuit in Sarpy County.

Just after 4:30 p.m., the patrol received a call about a vehicle driving with a flat tire on Interstate 80 near Gretna.

A short time later, a trooper found the Mazda 3 driving on I-80 past the Nebraska Crossing mall and pulled him over, officials said.

But as the trooper tried to make contact with the driver, the vehicle turned around and started fleeing west on the eastbound shoulder of I-80, the patrol said.

Officials said the driver hit a streetlight and eventually drove into a ditch.

Troopers were able to take the driver into custody without further incident, according to officials. The entire pursuit lasted less than one minute.

The driver, 32-year-old Steven Salinas, was arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under the influence and several traffic violations.

Salinas was taken to CHI Health Midlands for medical care and then lodged in the Sarpy County Jail.