A two-vehicle crash in Clay County, Nebraska, resulted in two fatalities and three injuries. The crash occurred when a semi failed to slow down for stopped traffic and entered the eastbound lanes, colliding with a Buick Enclave. The driver of the semi had an active arrest warrant and has been arrested. The crash is currently under investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol. Assistance was provided by various law enforcement and emergency response agencies. https://www.ksnblocal4.com reported
The Nebraska State Patrol has provided additional information regarding a tragic collision involving two vehicles in Clay County, which resulted in the loss of two lives and left three others injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Highway 6 near the Adams/Clay County border.
According to the initial investigation, a semi-truck was traveling westbound on Highway 6 when it failed to decelerate as it approached stationary traffic waiting for a vehicle to make a turn at Road A. As a result, the semi-truck veered into the eastbound lanes, losing control in the process, and collided with an eastbound Buick Enclave. The Buick was occupied by an adult and four children.
Regrettably, the driver of the Buick, identified as Nicole Pavelka, aged 30, and one of the children, 8-year-old Ryker Schlichtman, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other children, aged 11 and 10, sustained serious injuries and were transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha. The fourth child, a 9-year-old, also suffered serious injuries and was taken to Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings. All five individuals involved in the crash are members of the same family from Davenport, Nebraska.
The driver of the semi-truck, a 21-year-old named Justin Zoerb from Litchfield, was found to have an active arrest warrant from Hitchcock County. The warrant was issued on charges related to worn tires, failure to stop at a weigh station, and failure to appear following an incident that occurred in May. Zoerb was promptly arrested and is currently being held in Adams County Jail.
It is important to note that no charges have been filed against Zoerb in connection with the collision at this time. The Nebraska State Patrol is undertaking a comprehensive crash reconstruction and continues to investigate the incident.
The response efforts at the scene involved collaboration between the Nebraska State Patrol and various local authorities, including the Adams County and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices, the Adams and Clay County Attorney’s Offices, as well as the Hastings, Trumbull, Glenvil, and Adams County Rural Fire Departments. LoneTree Towing and the Nebraska Department of Transportation also provided assistance.
.
![](https://countylocalnews.com/article1/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot_20240727_161725_Chrome-1-587x1024.jpg)
![](https://countylocalnews.com/article1/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot_20240727_161804_Chrome-1-583x1024.jpg)
![](https://countylocalnews.com/article1/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot_20240727_161842_Chrome-582x1024.jpg)
![](https://countylocalnews.com/article1/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot_20240727_161453_Chrome-844x1024.jpg)