Waverly man injured in Lincoln hit-and-run feels lucky it wasn’t worse

Wife credits 'the grace of God and some tough work boots'

WAVERLY, Neb. (KLKN) – It was like any other workday for Keith Hernandez of Waverly, until it wasn’t.

Hernandez was working for Mr. Amoto Lawn and Tree Service on Thursday, clearing the street near 24th and Van Dorn Streets in Lincoln, when his life changed in an instant.

“I was using a big backpack blower, so I had my back facing the north, and I was blowing off the street, cleaning it up,” Hernandez said. “And just like all things, it happened pretty quick, and I got hit from behind.”

According to the crash report, a red Nissan Juke ran into Hernandez, then took off and left him in the street, shocked.

“I felt it roll over my heel, back of my ankle, and I saw the car drive off when I was on the ground,” he said.

While he was laying in the roadway, he called his wife, Kayla, who then called the police.

Hernandez was rushed to Bryan Medical Center’s west campus with a significant ankle injury, but he said if it wasn’t for his shoes, it could have been a whole lot worse.

“I had a pretty heavy-duty boot on, and it kind of rolled over the back of my heel and pushed my ankle and pinched it forward, so I was very, very lucky,” Hernandez said. “It could have just rolled over me completely.”

Now, life for Hernandez moves forward on crutches for the next 12 weeks, but not without some unwanted time off.

“That really hurts business production for my company, and Mr. Amoto and my family relies on me to work, so it takes a lot out of us,” Keith said.

The Hernandez family is horrified that the driver took off and hopes that the person behind the wheel will come forward.

“Now this has gone from an accident to a felony,” Kayla said.

Keith is expected to be OK, although he tore a tendon in his ankle that will potentially need surgery. He’s just happy to be alive.

“Just by the grace of God and some tough work boots, I mean, he lucked out for sure,” Kayla said.

Lincoln Police are still searching for the driver. If you have any information, you’re encouraged to call the Lincoln Police Department at 402-441-6000.