Woman killed in crash near Sutherland, driver will be arrested after release from hospital

SUTHERLAND, Neb. (KNOP) - A Sutherland man will be arrested once he is released from the hospital for a deadly crash on Monday.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and Sutherland first responders were called to the area of N Prairie Trace Road and W Snake Road, north of Sutherland for a SUV that left the roadway and hit a tree.

When deputies arrived, first responders were attending to the driver, Alexander Gomez, 24, of Sutherland, who was outside of the vehicle. His passenger, Jade Torres, 22, of Sutherland, died at the scene.

Deputies reviewed evidence which indicated the SUV was southbound on Prairie Trace Road at a high rate of speed when it crossed some railroad tracks and went airborne twice, the Sheriff’s Office said. The vehicle partially rolled in the air before the roof hit a cottonwood tree, completely crushing it into the passenger compartment.

Gomez was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after the crash. While there, the Sheriff’s Office said he consented to a blood/alcohol test, which showed positive for alcohol.

As of 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Gomez was still being treated at the hospital. The Sheriff’s Office said he will be arrested at a later date.