Fernando Ortiz Obituary, Death; – The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office (LSO) has confirmed the identity of the driver who tragically lost his life following a collision east of Waverly on Thursday.
On Friday, LSO identified the deceased driver as 86-year-old Fernando Ortiz from Waverly. He succumbed to his injuries at the crash site.
Emergency services from Waverly Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the intersection of N. 162nd Street and Bluff Road at 9:14 a.m. on Thursday.
According to Capt. John Vik of LSO, a dump truck operated by the Lancaster County Engineering Department, traveling southbound, collided with a red vehicle heading west at the intersection. The impact caused the red vehicle to be pushed through the intersection and into a nearby ditch.
LSO reported on Friday that the dump truck driver did not stop at a stop sign due to foggy conditions in the area.
The passenger in the red vehicle, who is Ortiz’s wife, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and is currently in serious but stable condition. LSO noted that seatbelts were being utilized at the time of the accident.
Additionally, one dog that was in the vehicle was taken to an animal clinic in Waverly for care.
Capt. Vik stated that the dump truck driver is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Prior to the accident, the dump truck driver was engaged in spreading gravel on the roadway, as reported by LSO.
An investigation is being conducted by LSO in conjunction with the Nebraska State Patrol to ascertain whether any citations will be issued.
This incident marks the fourth vehicular fatality in Lancaster County within the last two weeks.
