Hazard man arrested following accident killing two, seriously injuring three

HASTINGS, Neb. -- The Nebraska State Patrol said they are investigating an accident that killed two people and seriously injured three others on Wednesday afternoon in Clay County. 

The NSP said that the crash happened around 4:15 p.m. on Highway 6 near the Adams/Clay County line. 

According to officials, the initial investigation showed that a semi was heading west on Highway 6, failed to slow down for stopped westbound traffic waiting for a car to turn at Road A. 

The semi, driven by 21-year-old Justin Zoerb of Hazard, then entered the eastbound lanes, lost control, and stuck a Buick Enclave that was heading east, according to authorities. 

The NSP said the Buick was occupied by one adult and four children. 

Those in the Buick who were pronounced dead were driver, 30-year-old Nicole Pavelka, and 8-year-old Ryker Schlichtman.

The other three children were an 11-year-old and a 10-year-old who were taken to an Omaha hospital for serious injuries. A 9-year-old was taken to a Hastings hospital for serious injuries.

The NSP said that all five are a family from Davenport, Nebraska. 

Zoerb was found to have an active arrest warrant out of Hitchcock County, said the NSP. 

He was arrested and lodged in Adams County Jail. 

NSP was assisted on scene by the Adams County and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices, the Adams and Clay County Attorney’s Offices, Hastings, Trumbull, Glenvil, and Adams County Rural Fire Departments, LoneTree Towing, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The NSP said they are conducting a full crash reconstruction.

The crash remains under investigation.