UPDATE: Stolen vehicle leads LPD and NSP on chase, one man arrested
A stolen car led Lincoln Police and the Nebraska State Patrol on two chases early Sunday morning.
According to LPD Capt. Danny Reiten a 1993 Honda Civic was stolen from the area of 27th and O Street Saturday afternoon after it was left running and unlocked outside a business. An LPD officer engaged in a short pursuit, but it was discontinued due to safety concerns.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 30, a trooper attempted a traffic stop near 27th and Cornhusker when they saw the 1993 Honda Civic that had been reported stolen.
The vehicle fled and the trooper initiated a pursuit. After the driver started traveling in the opposite lane against oncoming traffic, the pursuit was terminated and the NSP Aviation Support Division was called in to follow the vehicle.
The NSP helicopter was able to follow the vehicle to the area near Rosa Parks Way and South Folsom.
When troopers on the ground found the vehicle, the suspect vehicle spun out near South Folsom and West B.
As the vehicle began driving through a backyard and into an alley, a trooper was able to successfully perform a Tactical Vehicle Intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Troopers were then able to immediately take the driver, 44-year-old Damian Smith of Lincoln, into custody.
Smith was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving during revocation, and an outstanding felony warrant. He also faces charges from the Lincoln Police Department.
Smith was treated and released from Bryan Medical Center at Bryan West Campus for a minor leg injury and lodged in Lancaster County Jail.
NSP was assisted by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Lincoln Police Department during this event.
