LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) says two crashes temporarily forced the closure of two stretches of I-80 Wednesday afternoon.
Troopers responded to a crash involving a pickup and two semis near the intersection if I-80 and I-76 at approximately 11:45 a.m. MT.
One semi involved was transporting a possibly flammable substance, which spilled from a container inside the trailer.
Troopers with the Nebraska Hazardous Incident Team responded to the scene and diverted both eastbound and westbound lanes of traffic to alternate routes. After approximately 90 minutes, the scene was rendered safe and eastbound lanes were re-opened.
NSP says westbound lanes were closed for about four hours.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. CT, a crash involving two semis resulted in the closure of I-80 between mile markers 420 and 409 for westbound traffic.
Both semis caught on fire, NSP says, and the smoke from the incident created visibility problems and forced the closure of eastbound lanes for a short time as well.
Various law enforcement agencies and fire and rescue crews responded to the scene. One semi driver was taken to Bryan Medical Center - West Campus in Lincoln with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the semi that rear-ended the other semi was cited for following too close.
NSP says the left two lanes of I-80 are now open westbound at the 413 mile marker; however, traffic will be moving slowly through the area for a little while.
