Update on Saunders County Fatality Crash Investigation

Update on Saunders County Fatality Crash Investigation
July 21st, 2021 | Nebraska State Patrol

JULY 21, 2021 (LINCOLN, NEB.)  — The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) has been able to identify a third vehicle that was at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 109 at the time of the crash that claimed the lives of three siblings Tuesday evening.

After NSP requested assistance from the public in locating the driver of a third vehicle, several citizens called with information, including the driver of the third vehicle, which was a Ford Escape.

Following interviews, including those with other witnesses, investigators believe the eastbound Escape had not stopped at the intersection, but had slowed down after noticing the southbound Pontiac Grand Am proceed into the intersection after stopping at the stop sign on Highway 109. The Escape was able to stop in time to avoid a collision, but an eastbound Dodge Ram 3500, traveling in the right lane, collided with the Grand Am. All three occupants of the Grand Am, 18, 11, and 7-year-old siblings from Wahoo, were killed in the crash.

The driver of the Escape then noticed several witnesses stop to assist and made sure 911 had been called before departing the scene. The Escape is not believed to be a contributing factor in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.

Original Story:

JULY 21, 2021 (LINCOLN, NEB.)  — The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) is investigating a crash that claimed the lives of three minors Tuesday evening near Wahoo.

At approximately 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Saunders County Sheriff’s Deputies requested assistance from NSP at the scene of the two-vehicle crash with multiple fatalities. The crash occurred at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 109, north of Wahoo.

After preliminary investigation, investigators believe that a Pontiac Grand Am, driven by Monica Chohon, 18, of Wahoo, was traveling southbound on Highway 109 and stopped at a stop sign at the intersection. An unknown, eastbound vehicle then stopped in the left lane of Highway 77. Highway 77 traffic has the right of way at that intersection. At that time, the Pontiac attempted to proceed through the intersection, but was struck by an eastbound Dodge Ram 3500, that was traveling in the right lane of Highway 77.

The collision caused the Pontiac to roll into the south ditch of the intersection. All three occupants of the Pontiac, Monica Chohon, 18, James Chohon, 11, and Andrew Chohon, 7, all of Wahoo, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ram, Tobias Hartung, 40, of Fremont, was not injured in the crash.

The third vehicle, the unidentified vehicle that stopped in the left lane of Highway 77, then left the scene. Investigators are seeking to speak with the driver of that vehicle, as a witness to the crash. Anyone with information about the third, unknown vehicle present at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 109 at the time of the crash is urged to call the Nebraska State Patrol at 402-479-4921.

The crash remains under investigation.

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