Man cited in August crash that killed pedestrian near Lincoln casino

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man was cited Tuesday in a crash that killed a pedestrian near the Lincoln casino last year, police say.

The 28-year-old man was cited and released on suspicion of reckless driving in the crash on Aug. 4, 2024.

Police said he was driving west on Denton Road just before 1 a.m. when he hit a pedestrian near First Street.

The man told officers he saw a person in the road, causing him to swerve and hit another pedestrian, 25-year-old Rico Benavidez.

Benavidez was not in a crosswalk, according to police.  He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

During an investigation, LPD learned the driver was going at least 81 mph in a 45 mph zone.

“That speed, combined with known dangers in the area, constituted reckless driving,” police said in a press release.