Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested two people following two separate pursuits in western Nebraska.
Sunday, shortly before 1 AM MT, troopers were notified that the Ogallala Police Department was in pursuit of a Toyota sedan westbound on Highway 30. A trooper joined the pursuit as the vehicle exited Ogallala westbound with speeds exceeding 130 mph. At Bug Springs, however, the vehicle turned south on Highway 138 and then began fleeing eastbound on Interstate 80.
The vehicle eventually exited I-80 at mile marker 133 and drove off the road, coming to a stop in the ditch. The driver then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended.
The 26 year old driver, Christoper Mitchell, of Sarasota, Florida, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, and traffic violations. Mitchell was lodged in Keith County Jail. The Ogallala Police Department is the investigating agency.
On Monday, at approximately 2 PM CT, a trooper observed a Ford Edge driving westbound at over 100 miles per hour on Highway 2 near Dunning. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield and accelerated. The trooper initiated a pursuit and after another trooper successfully deployed stop sticks, the vehicle came to a stop. Troopers took the driver into custody without further incident.
The 58 year old driver, Jeffrey Zitek, of Grand Island, was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, and traffic violations. He was lodged in Custer County Jail.