12:13p, July 18 update

NEBRASKA CITY - The Nebraska City Police Department has issued the following press release following Thursday night's fatality.

On 7/17/2025 at approximately 16:40 hours Nebraska City Police and Fire - Rescue were dispatched to the area behind the Memorial building located at 810 1st Corso for a call regarding a pedestrian and vehicle accident.

Upon Officer arrival, it was discovered that a 6-year-old male child had been struck by the vehicle and was declared deceased at the scene. There were several people on location as the weekly Farmers Market was occurring.

The driver of the vehicle, 59-year-old Vernon Christiansen of Percival, Iowa, was arrested and booked into the Otoe County Jail on the preliminary charges of:
Motor vehicle homicide
Possess/consume open alcohol container
Bald or improper use of tires
Obstructed view of driver.

This investigation is ongoing, and charges will be reviewed upon completion of investigation and return of evidence collected during and after the event. Assistance was provided by Nebraska City Police / Nebraska City Fire-Rescue / Nebraska State Patrol / Otoe County Sheriff’s office and Otoe County Attorney’s office.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident, please contact the Nebraska City Police Department 402-873-6666.

Lutheran Family Services TASC (Targeted Adult Service Coordination) will be at the Nebraska City Police Department from 1-3pm today (7/18/25) to provide services to anyone affected by these events.

 

Also of note, Small Beginnings will be holding a vigil tonight at 7pm on the north side of Steinhart by the courts.

 

Original story, July 17...

NEBRASKA CITY - About an hour after the opening of Thursday’s Farmers Market at the Veterans Memorial Building parking lot and portions of Eighth Street in Nebraska City, emergency services were dispatched to a pedestrian fatality.

A pickup truck struck a pedestrian in the alley on the edge of the area blocked off for the farmers market.

Police Chief Ben Murry said officers arriving encountered a six-year-old who had been struck by the eastbound vehicle and ran over.

Murry said an investigation is ongoing.