Update: Victims in Deadly Crash Identified

By: 10/11 News Email

Updated: Mon 7:38 AM, Nov 05, 2012

One person is dead and several others injured following a two car crash in rural Waverly.

The collision happened just after 1:30 a.m at the intersection of N. 70th and Waverly Road.

New reports indicate 37-year-old Damian Smith of Ceresco turned westbound onto Waverly Road, striking an eastbound Cadillac driven by 24-year-old Seth Coats of Lincoln.

The Cadillac went into the north ditch, rolled at least once and hit a telephone pole before coming to rest.

Three of the five occupants in the Cadillac, including Coats, were ejected.

Coats was transported to Bryan West by a Star Care helicopter, but was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The other four passengers in the Cadillac were 23-year-old Alicia Jeffres of Omaha, 21-year-old Rose Smith of Omaha, 26-year-old Jessie Switzer of Grand Island, and 23-year-old Brett Crawford of Lincoln.

They were all admitted to area hospitals with non life-threatening injuries.

Smith, the other driver, suffered only minor injuries in the crash.

He has been cited for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

His passenger, 31-year-old Kristy Hille of Ceresco, was admitted to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary reports show seat belts were in use in Smith's vehicle, but not in Coats'.

Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the crash.

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