Crash Toll in Nebraska Likely to Hit 5-Year High

Nebraska’s highway safety administrator says the number of people who died in Nebraska crashes in 2014 likely will be the highest number in five years.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that as of the morning of Dec. 31, 2014, 221 people had died in crashes. That’s the highest number since the 223 in 2009. Because of the holiday, officials couldn’t provide the final toll for 2014.

Nebraska highway safety administrator Fred Zwonechek says he expects the rate of fatalities per million miles traveled may be lower than last year, however. He expects the miles driven to be higher than 2013 because fuel prices have dropped below $2 a gallon in some parts of Nebraska. Plus, mild weather for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Labor Day led to more trips for people.