NSP arrests Colorado man in northeast Lincoln after pursuit

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) arrested a Colorado man after following him into northeastern Lincoln.

Around 12 p.m., NSP received a report of a Chevrolet Impala traveling on Interstate 80 (I-80) that was involved in a hit and run near Lincoln.

15 minutes later, a trooper found the vehicle traveling eastbound on I-80 in Lincoln. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver sped up. The Impala reached speeds over 110 mph on I-80 before exiting onto southbound 56th Street.

The trooper quit pursuing as the vehicle approached high traffic areas in Lincoln for safety reasons.

Another NSP trooper found the vehicle speeding on Highway 6, traveling eastbound out of Lincoln. The trooper attempted a traffic stop but, again, the driver refused to yield. The NSP AirWing took over the pursuit from the air as the vehicle fled toward Waverly. The driver then turned around and drove back into Lincoln.

On Highway 6, the driver is suspected of throwing a firearm out of the vehicle near 98th Street.

NSP pilots tracked the vehicle to the area of 71st and Douglas streets. The driver parked and exited the vehicle, walking away from the car.

Troopers were contact and took the driver into custody without further incident. The gun was recovered on 98th Street.

The driver, James Bernard, 44, of Thornton, Colorado, was arrested and lodged for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, possession of a controlled substance and other charges.

NSP said the pursuit lasted around 12 minutes.