Trooper Kyle McAcy, (Central Nebraska Today, Courtesy)
LINCOLN — The Nebraska State Patrol has released more details following the death of Trooper Kyle McAsy Monday morning on I-80 between Ashland and Greenwood.
NSP Superintendent Colonel John Bolduc says the preliminary investigation determined Trooper McAcy and another trooper responded to a crash that involved a Nebraska Department of Transportation snow plow and two passenger vehicles at 9:20 a.m.
“One of the passenger vehicles had struck the rear of the snow plow as it was plowing eastbound I-80 near mile marker 424,” Bolduc says. He says the troopers checked on everyone involved in the crash and found one of the drivers was suffering from neck pain.
While another trooper provided first aid to the driver whose vehicle ended up in a ditch, Bolduc says Trooper McAcy spoke with the plow driver who was outside of the plow. “We believe that Trooper McAsy asked the plow driver to move the snow plow.”
Bolduc says as McAsy was returning to the other vehicles involved in the crash, the plow began driving in reverse and struck him. The other motorists who saw the crash happen alerted the other trooper who was still assisting the other injured driver.
“The trooper, plow driver and others responded immediately, but Trooper McAsy had already passed from his injuries.” Bolduc says they have asked the Sarpy County Sheriff’s office to investigate the crash and the Iowa State Patrol will conduct a post-crash inspection of the snow plow.
Bolduc was asked about the plow driver during a morning news conference. “That person is hurting as well. It’s a tragedy for everyone involved. It will take time to process that.” The 31-year-old McAsy was a ten year veteran of NSP and was based in Omaha.
“Trooper Kyle McAcy had a way of creating smiles in conversations with friends, with family and even with complete strangers,” Bolduc says. “His infectious personality impacted countless people throughout his life. To lose him in the line of duty was not only the loss of a trooper, but someone who uplifted the world for the better.”
Funeral services are pending.