Woman killed, four injured after head-on crash in Saunders County

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A woman was killed and four others were injured after a Wednesday night crash in Saunders County.

The Saunders County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened on Highway 79 around 8:45 p.m. just north of Prague.

Investigators say 20-year-old Payton Pruett of Lincoln was driving north when he lost control, went into a ditch, overcorrected and crossed the center line.

Pruett then struck a southbound Buick Regal which came to a stop in a ditch, the sheriff’s office said.

All five people involved in the crash were taken to local hospitals.

A female passenger of the Buick was later pronounced dead at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

The sheriff’s office said the male driver remains in the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

Two children, ages 3 and 6, were also in the Buick at the time of the crash.

The 3-year-old has life-threatening injuries, and the 6-year-old has injuries that are not life-threatening.

Pruett, who was the only occupant in his vehicle, had injuries that were not life-threatening.

The sheriff’s office said seatbelt usage is still under investigation, but alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the sheriff’s office in its investigation.