Grand Island man charged in relation to November fatal crash near Wilcox

MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) - A Grand Island man has been charged with misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in connection with a November crash that killed his passenger.

The crash occurred the morning of Nov. 5 at the intersection of County Road B and County Road 23, about two miles east of Wilcox.

According to the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Duniesky Benitez Torres was driving a truck that collided with an eastbound car driven by a 61-year-old Axtell woman. Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were taken to CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

A passenger in Benitez Torres’ truck, identified as 35-year-old Salvador Alvarado Reyes of Kearney, died at the scene. Authorities said he was in the front seat and not wearing a seatbelt.

Court documents state Benitez Torres admitted to missing the stop sign at the intersection. Investigators also determined he was driving without a valid driver’s license.

In addition to motor vehicle homicide, Benitez Torres faces charges of violating a stop sign and failure to yield the right of way. A warrant for his arrest was issued Dec. 16. It was not immediately clear if he has been taken into custody.