One Dead After Saturday Morning Accident Near Columbus

COLUMBUS - A Saturday morning accident in Platte County resulted in the death of a Columbus resident.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office says that around 6:55 AM, deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident approximately 1/2 mile north of 287th Street on 205th Avenue. A vehicle driven by 31-year-old Martin Gomez, Jr. of Columbus was traveling northbound on 205th Avenue when the driver lost control, entering the east ditch.

As the vehicle entered the ditch it struck a field entrance drive, causing the vehicle to veer back on the roadway where it rolled several times before coming to rest. Columbus Rescue transported Gomez to Columbus Community Hospital with minor injuries, and he was later released.

A passenger in the vehicle, 24-year-old Joseph Sullivan of Columbus, was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash, but the incident is currently under investigation by both the Platte County Sheriff's Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.