(Ashland, NE) -- The person killed in a Thursday morning crash that shut down westbound I-80 for six hours is identified.
The Nebraska State Patrol says the crash was reported around 6:40 Thursday morning Ashland. The NSP says investigators believe the crash happened when a westbound semi-truck/tanker trailer attempted to pass a motorcycle. Investigators say the semi made contact with another westbound semi-truck/trailer, pushing that semi into the left lane, colliding with a van. The state patrol says the first semi then over-corrected and struck the motorcycle.
The man on the motorcycle, 54 year old Patrick Cunningham of South Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported by anyone involved. The crash remains under investigation.