Photo: Lincoln Police Department
(Lincoln, NE) -- A Lincoln Police officer suffers a minor head injury after a crash involving a suspected drunk driver.
The Lincoln Police Department says around 1:30 Saturday morning, an officer was eastbound on K Street in a marked police vehicle, headed towards 16th Street, with a 2010 Ford Explorer in the middle lane next her. Police say as they entered the intersection with a green traffic signal, a southbound 1998 Honda Accord ran a red light and entered the intersection. Investigators say the Honda hit the Explorer, which then hit the side of the police cruiser. LPD says the Honda then hit with a building, causing about $500 in damage.
Police say the officer made contact with the driver of the Honda Accord who was attempting to leave the scene of the accident. Investigators say the driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested, but resisted and refused to get into the cruiser as another officer arrived on scene. LPD says officers were eventually able to get the driver into the back of the cruiser after a lengthy struggle and with the assistance of additional officers. Police say the driver refused to identify himself, and didn't have a driver's license, but he was eventually identified by officers as 34 year old Reagan Nsimbani. Witnesses reported that the Honda Accord was seen driving recklessly at a high rate of speed before running the red light.
The driver of the Ford Explorer, a 24-year-old man, and passenger, 24-year-old man, suffered injuries non-life-threatening injuries that did not require treatment at the hospital. The officer was transported by another LPD officer to a local area hospital where she was treated and released for a head injury that is not life threatening.
Nsimbani was also transported to a local area hospital to be evaluated. Police say he refused to submit to tests to determine the level of alcohol in his system. They say despite officers getting a search warrant to conduct a blood draw, he violently resisted. Nsimbani was medically cleared, transported to the jail and arrested for Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident, DUI 1st Offense, Refusal of a Chemical Test, Contempt of Court, Refuse Preliminary Breath Test, Resisting Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving and No Operators License.
Damage to the Honda Accord and Ford Explorer are both total losses. The police cruiser sustained an estimated $7,000 damage.
Photo: Lincoln Police Department