Two arrested after separate chases with troopers in western Nebraska, patrol says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two men have been arrested in separate pursuits in western Nebraska, the patrol said Tuesday.

The first chase happened on Sunday around 12:40 a.m. when troopers were notified of a Toyota sedan heading west on Highway 30 near Ogallala.

Officers with the Ogallala Police Department were in pursuit, and a trooper joined the chase as the Toyota exited Ogallala westbound, the patrol said.

The vehicle headed west at speeds over 130 mph until it reached Big Springs, according to the patrol.

Eventually, the driver of the Toyota — 26-year-old Christopher Mitchell of Sarasota, Florida — made his way onto eastbound Interstate 80.

The pursuit ended when Mitchell drove off the road and into a ditch.  He tried running away, but authorities quickly apprehended him, the patrol said.

Mitchell was arrested on suspicion of several charges, including flight to avoid arrest and willful reckless driving.

The second pursuit happened Monday around 2 p.m. after a trooper spotted a Ford Edge driving at over 100 mph on Highway 2 near Dunning.

The patrol said the trooper tried to pull the Ford over, but the driver — 58-year-old Jeffrey Zitek of Grand Island — sped off.

Zitek ran over stop sticks as he approached Thedford and the vehicle came to a stop.  He was taken into custody shortly after.

Zitek was arrested on suspicion of willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest and traffic violations.