Husker wrestler killed in Thursday morning crash

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The University of Nebraska says that a Husker wrestler was killed in a crash in Lincoln Thursday morning.

Christian Miller, 21, of Plainview, was one of two people killed in the crash, near 27th and Sewell Streets.

First responders were called out just before 2 a.m. Thursday to a single-vehicle crash.

The Lincoln Police Department said a car was going southbound on 27th at a high rate of speed when it lost control and crashed into a tree. LPD said as an officer approached the crash, the car burst into flames.

According to LPD, officers and neighbors tried using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames and pull the two people out of the car. LPD said because of the damage and dangerous conditions, officers were forced to retreat.

Officers said neighbors used hoses to try and put out the fire alongside officers. We’re also told an LES employee stopped on scene with a fire extinguisher.

Firefighters with Lincoln Fire and Rescue arrived and were able to put the fire out.

LPD located neighbors with security video that showed the car speeding prior to the crash.

Two of the responding officers had cuts and were treated on the scene.

“This is a tragic and devastating loss for everyone who knew and loved Christian. My thoughts are with his family and I pray for them in their time of grief. Christian was a young man full of energy with a bright future ahead of him. As the father of four myself, I struggle to process someone being taken from us at such a young age. It will take time for us to begin to heal as a wrestling family. We will promise to bond together as a team to honor Christian’s memory by living life to its fullest and competing as hard as possible on the mat,” Nebraska Wrestling Head Coach Mark Manning said.

Miller owned a 15-9 career record as a Husker, including a 12-3 record in 2019-20. Miller started five duals at Nebraska in the past two seasons at 133 and 141 pounds.

Miller was a two-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. He was a four-time state champion at Plainview High School and had a 169-2 high school career record for Coach Dean Boyer. Miller was also a two-time state qualifier in cross country at Plainview High.

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