Two arrested following multiple overnight pursuits

NEBRASKA -- Nebraska State Patrol troopers arrested two people following separate pursuits overnight.

Officials said that around 11:25 p.m. Friday, a trooper observed a Buick Regal traveling at 115 mph on Interstate 80 near Grand Island, at mile marker 317.

Authorities said the trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield and continued westbound at a high rate of speed, and the trooper initiated a pursuit.

Officials said the Buick exited the interstate multiple times, but re-entered I-80 westbound each time. As the vehicle approached Kearney, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Deputies successfully deployed stop sticks to bring the vehicle to a stop, near mile marker 275.

Authorities said troopers were then able to take the suspect into custody without further incident. The driver, 36-year-old Andrew Willard of Bristol, Wisconsin, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer, and numerous traffic violations.

Willard was held in Hall County Jail. The Kearney Police Department also assisted in this incident.

Officials said another incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, a trooper observed a Ford Mustang speeding on Interstate 480 in Omaha, near the junction with Interstate 80.

Authorities said the trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield and continued at a high rate of speed. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

Officials said the Ford merged onto I-80 westbound with speeds in excess of 100 mph. The driver exited I-80 at 60th Street.

Authorities said that as the vehicle attempted to turn southbound onto 60th Street, the driver lost control and spun-out, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

The trooper was then able to take the driver into custody.

The driver, 37-year-old Benjamin Crismon of Bellevue, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, resisting arrest, and traffic violations. He was held in Douglas County Jail.