The Nebraska State Patrol says a driver fleeing an attempted traffic stop crashed a car into the front entrance of Lincoln Station early Friday morning, sending both people inside the vehicle to the hospital.
Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says just after 2:00 a.m. a trooper saw a vehicle driving the wrong way on Q Street in downtown Lincoln. “The vehicle, a Ford Fusion, then turned the wrong way onto 10th Street and drove right by the trooper on 10th Street,” Thomas says.
“The trooper activated his emergency lights and turned around. A UNLPD cruiser was stopped with emergency lights activated at 10th and P.” Thomas says the vehicle then turned westbound on P Street, drove into the Haymarket, and immediately crashed into the Lincoln Station building.
“The trooper and UNLPD officer checked on both occupants and called for Lincoln Fire and Rescue,” Thomas says. The driver and passenger were transported to Bryan Health West Campus with non-life-threatening injuries.
Thomas says the driver, 22-year-old Levi Epp of Sterling, has since been booked into the Lancaster County Jail for DUI, willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, refusal to submit to a DUI pretest, carrying a concealed handgun while under the influence, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
(Photos: Jeff Maul, Visit Lincoln, Chris Lofgreen KLIN News)