Two off-duty LPD officers injured while helping driver in crash southeast of Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two off-duty officers were injured Wednesday night while helping a driver involved in a crash southeast of Lincoln.
Around 7:15 p.m., a Toyota Avalon ran a stop sign near 158th Street and Saltillo Road and hit a pickup truck, Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said.
Lincoln Police Officers Brent Lovett and Kate Schwenke witnessed the crash, Acting Police Chief Michon Morrow said.
Lovett and Schwenke went to help the driver of the Toyota.
A Chevy Bolt then struck the Toyota head-on, injuring the off-duty officers and the driver.
The driver of the Toyota was flown by helicopter to a Lincoln hospital, Wagner said.
Lovett, Schwenke and the driver of the Bolt were taken to a hospital by ambulance. The injuries were not life-threatening.
Morrow said Schwenke has since been released.
“The heroic actions of Officer Lovett and Officer Schwenke highlight their dedication to the community whether they are on duty or off-duty,” Morrow said.
Morrow said it will be a long road to recovery for both officers, who have served the Lincoln Police Department for nearly eight years.
The driver of the Toyota will be cited at a later date, Wagner said.
The driver of the pickup truck was not seriously injured.
Wagner said alcohol is not believed to be a factor. He said everyone was wearing seat belts.
The Lincoln Police Department learned last night that two of our officers were injured in an accident near South 158th & Saltillo Road. Both were off-duty and stopped to help those involved in the initial crash when a passing vehicle struck them on the side of the road. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/7OXEZiPNGc
— Lincoln Police (@Lincoln_Police) October 19, 2023
