Motorcyclist Killed is Lincoln Teacher, Kansas Woman Facing Charges

By: Stephanie Morrissey - Email

Updated: Wed 5:36 AM, Jun 27, 2012

Kathy Teichmeier
charged with felony motor vehicle homicide

Authorities have released the name of a Lincoln woman who was killed in an accident on Interstate 80 near Grand Island.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office identified her as 58-year-old Nancy Hermanson.

Officials say round 4 p.m. Monday, Hermanson was killed when two motorcycles and a passenger car were involved in a crash on Interstate 80 in Hall County.

Deputies say 34-year-old Kathy Teichmeier, of Almena Kansas decided to make a u-turn at the emergency crossing located just east of a rest area.

Officials say two motorcycles were in the left passing lane behind Teichmeier's vehicle. The vehicle struck the first motorcycle on the rear wheel then the Hermanson's motorcycle struck the driver side rear door ejecting the operator.

Hermanson was taken to and later died at the hospital. Her 60-year-old husband was operating the first motorcycle. He was able to bring the motorcycle under enough control that he sustained no injuries. The couple listed Lincoln as their home.

Hermanson worked for LPS for 10 years and was currently a fifth grade teacher at Belmont Elementary.

"She put everything she had into working with her kids. She cared so much about their success. She went far above and beyond what was expected of her as a teacher. She helped her kids learn and feel safe and happy," said Brad Piper, also a 5th grade teacher at Belmont.

"She was a woman of action. She didn't just talk about it. You may be in a meeting and there's conversations but Nancy went out and did it. She was very actively involved in the lives of the children here," said Bobbie Ehrlich, 5th grade teacher at Belmont.

Hermanson and her sister, Emily, were only 18 months apart. She was one of the first people to get the call. Tuesday, Emily celebrated her birthday without her sister. On that day, though, she was thinking of Kathy Teichmeier.

"Right now, I have a lot of people praying for Kathy. If I could, I would tell her, I forgive her," said Emily Aldinger, Hermanson's sister.

Teichmeier and four of five minor children, between the ages of 8-13 reported minor injuries were taken to St. Francis and later released.

Teichmeier and her passengers reported wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Teichmeier was taken into custody and is being charged with Felony motor vehicle homicide.

The children were released to a friend of the family.

In addition she had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on no proof of financial responsibility out of Custer County.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor..

Heineman Vetoes $44.6M From State Budget