By SCOTT CARLSON
North Platte Post
PAXTON, Neb.-The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating after a three-vehicle crash left multiple people injured and three cattle dead.
According to the patrol, just before 8:00 pm CT Wednesday, troopers were alerted to a crash that involved a wrong-way vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 near mile marker 145.
Upon arrival, troopers found that the vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, had collided with two semi-trucks in the eastbound lanes.
The drivers of all three vehicles were transported by ambulance to Great Plains Health in North Platte. The driver of the Tahoe and one of the semi drivers were later flown to UNMC in Omaha for further treatment. Those injuries are described as serious.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
One of the semi-trucks was hauling cattle, three of which died as a result of the crash. The other semi was hauling potatoes.
I-80 eastbound was closed for about three hours during the response and clean-up.
Assisting agencies were Paxton Fire, Sutherland Fire, Ogallala Fire, Keith County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, NDOT, Regional West Ambulance, Amy's Towing, Steve's Towing, and Ogallala Livestock Market.
The crash remains under investigation.