Vehicular Homicide for Slow Driver

(NORTH PLATTE, Neb.) — What initially appeared to be a deadly semi-truck crash on Interstate 80 has resulted in a motor vehicle homicide arrest after investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The crash occurred Saturday, August 15, near mile marker 198 on I-80 in Lincoln County. Nebraska State Patrol troopers were called to the scene at approximately 9:20 p.m. after two semis collided in the westbound lanes near Brady.

The crash involved a semi pulling a flatbed trailer and a second semi pulling a trailer. Initial reports indicated the second truck caught fire following the collision, and emergency crews responded to the scene.

According to the Nebraska State Patrol’s preliminary investigation, the semi pulling the flatbed trailer had been parked on the shoulder of the interstate. Investigators determined that the truck subsequently merged back onto I-80 and was traveling below the minimum speed limit when it was struck from behind by the second semi.

The driver of the second semi was identified as Jose Espinosa Salazar, 40, of Florida. Salazar was pronounced dead at the scene.

Latsabidze was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail, where he remains in custody, according to authorities.

Latsabidze had also been booked by the Nebraska State Patrol on August 16 on an immigration violation and was listed as being held on an immigration-related hold. That booking occurred the day after the fatal crash.

The motor vehicle homicide arrest was announced more than a week after the crash, underscoring that the investigation continued beyond the initial response at the scene. Authorities have not released additional details regarding what led to the criminal charge.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The motor vehicle homicide allegation against Latsabidze has not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.