Semi crashes into two Lincoln backyards

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Chaos unfolded in a northwest Lincoln neighborhood Wednesday morning when a semitrailer truck went out of control.

The truck left Northwest 48th Street, near Interstate 80, running through a fence and tearing through two homes’ backyards.

“[The truck] hit the curb on the opposite side of the street,” said Ed Gagner, who was out on a walk with his wife when it happened. “It basically turned sideways and then it came, it bounced over the island.”

The Nebraska State Patrol said the truckdriver had a medical emergency, causing him to lose control.

Gagner and another bystander were quick to help the driver as much as they could.

“911 told us to take him out of the truck and put him on the ground,” he said. “So, I and the other gentleman shut off the truck, and I hit the air brakes, so the truck wasn’t going anywhere.”

Both of the backyards had playground sets, and one had a trampoline. No kids were playing outside when the crash happened, but it was a close call.

“Yeah, I’ve got granddaughters, but they weren’t here today, thank God,” said Keith Iverson, one of the homeowners whose backyard was damaged. “The [next-door neighbors’] little girls are always outside so …  she was just getting ready to go outside and saw it happen.”