Two Virginia men arrested for driving recklessly in Lancaster County, authorities say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Deputies arrested two Virginia men on Saturday after it was reported they were driving recklessly in Lancaster County.

Around 7 p.m., the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said a woman called in three times to report two vehicles speeding and passing vehicles on the shoulder of Interstate 80 west of Lincoln.

Deputies stopped the vehicles on Highway 77 — a black Ford F-150 near Roca Road and an Infinity between Stagecoach and Hickman roads.

According to Chief Deputy Ben Houchin, deputies made contact with a 21-year-old driver of the Ford and his 19-year-old passenger, both of Virginia.

Deputies said they smelled marijuana in the pickup and saw open containers. A search of the pickup also revealed a loaded Glock.

According to Houchin, the two never said there was a gun in the pickup.

The driver was ticketed and released for possessing an open container. The passenger was arrested on suspicion of failing to tell authorities that he was carrying a concealed weapon and carrying while under the influence.

During the stop of the Infinity, Houchin said the 23-year-old driver waited more than 10 minutes to grab a loaded handgun from under his seat and place it on the passenger’s seat.

The driver, also from Virginia, was arrested on suspicion of the same charges.

Houchin said both drivers had a blood alcohol content of less than .08, so they were within the legal limit.

Both drivers were in town for work and were headed to their hotel in Beatrice.