75-year-old man dead after being hit by vehicle on West O Street

Lincoln Police say a 75-year-old Lincoln man, now identified as Donald Gropp, has died after being hit by a vehicle on West O Street, Wednesday evening.

It happened around 6 p.m., on NW 14th and W. O Street.

LPD says the man was driving a motorized wheelchair across the street, and not using the crosswalk, when he was hit by a car.

Police say life-saving measures were performed at the scene, but the man was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The westbound lanes were closed for nearly two hours after the incident, but have since reopened.

No citations have been issued, but police searched the area for video and talked to witnesses, as they try to figure out what exactly happened.

LPD says the initial investigation shows the man was not using the crosswalk, and now they’re warning of the dangers.

Sgt. Todd Kocian, of the Lincoln Police Department said, “Crosswalk utilization is always the best, just be cognizant when it’s dark, just because you can see someone in a vehicle or you can see someone on a bike, doesn’t mean they can see you.”

Lincoln Police say the initial investigation, shows one driver swerved to avoid Gropp, but the next driver hit him.

The driver that avoided Gropp, said that the accident was unavoidable, according to an accident report.

The report also said Gropp was wearing dark clothing, with no reflective gear.