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Lincoln woman killed in crash near Valparaiso

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Feb 15, 2008 - 07:02:06 pm CST

Andrea Lorenzana, 23, of Lincoln was killed Friday morning when two vehicles collided near the crest of a hill in Saunders County, three miles east of Valparaiso.

The Nebraska State Patrol said Lorenzana was the front-seat passenger in a black 2004 Ford Expedition that drifted left, across the center of County Road 25, a gravel road, and collided with a white 2000 Chevy minivan shortly after 7 a.m.

The patrol said Lorenzana and a back-seat passenger, Michael Boyd, 29, of Lincoln were both thrown from the vehicle. Lorenzana  died at the scene; Boyd was taken to BryanLGH Medical Center West with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.

Story Photo
The scene of a two-vehicle crash on County Road 25 north of Ashland Road about three miles east of Valparaiso. All three passengers in the black SUV were ejected from the vehicle; one died. The black SUV was traveling south. The minivan was heading north. (Ted Kirk)

Neither Lorenzana nor Boyd was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.

The driver of the Expedition, Tyler Truax, 23, of Lincoln also was taken to BryanLGH West for treatment of injuries. The extent of his injuries was not known; a nursing superviser said she was not authorized to give an update on Truax’ or Boyd’s condition until Saturday.

Truax was wearing a seat belt and remained in the vehicle, which rolled after the collision. Truax was cited for misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide and driving under a suspended license, said Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the accident.

The driver of the minivan, Diane Scheffert, 40, of Valparaiso and two children passengers were treated at BryanLGH West for minor injuries and released, the state patrol said. All three were wearing seat belts, the patrol said.

Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said the investigation into the accident is ongoing between the Saunders County Sheriff’s office and the patrol.

The patrol was also assisted at the scene by Star Care Five and the Valparaiso and Ceresco rescue squads.


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jes wrote on February 15, 2008 10:41 am:
" So sad...God Bless them and their families "

 Anna wrote on February 15, 2008 12:07 pm:
" We are deeply saddened by our great loss, please keep this family in your prayers. "

 How easy wrote on February 15, 2008 3:34 pm:
" Why do people NOT wear their seatbelts? This is so sad. It takes seconds to hear a click and years to get over the impact of not buckling. A lesson to all. "

 Aron wrote on February 15, 2008 4:45 pm:
" I understand the need to wear seatbelts, but put yourself in the position of the family morning Andreas loss(or anyone invoved for that matter.)..would you honestly need to hear such a selfless comment like that at this time? Everyone is entitled to their opinion but there are many people saddened by this tragedy and I think we can all go back to a time in our lives we forgot to hear that 'Click".Its only common sense to realize what SHOULD Of been done..the fact of the matter is before anyone leaves a comment reguarding ANY person involved i think people should be more sensitive to what THEY"D like to be reading if they were in any persons position who loved anybody in this accident!! God Bless Andreas beautiful son Marcel Mower!!! To the Mower family and any friends of hers..Im so sorry. Im glad to hear the mother and the two children that were innocently hit are okay. "

 Barb wrote on February 15, 2008 8:08 pm:
" Does someone getting their license suspended ever really stop them from driving? We need something in place that really does stop them-like impounding their cars. "

 Seriously wrote on February 15, 2008 9:24 pm:
" It is so easy to cross the center on a gravel road especially if you are not used to driving on them. This was something that could happen to anyone. Does everyone who has an accident deserve to lose their license? I don't think so. "

 Sorry wrote on February 15, 2008 10:08 pm:
" This is not the time or the place to criticize or say I told you so. You should be ashamed. I will most certainly keep all involved in my prayers. God Bless "

 Corey O. wrote on February 15, 2008 10:26 pm:
" Andrea, you will be missed. God Bless You "

 Sky wrote on February 16, 2008 12:36 am:
" I pray for andrea's girlfriend and baby that they will make it through this okay. I was a classmate of hers and I speak for all of us who went to school with her in saying that she will be missed a lot! "

 M&M Mower wrote on February 16, 2008 10:01 am:
" We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and to the mother and two children involved we send our prayers. To Andrea, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW!! -Marcel & Michele "

 WE wrote on February 16, 2008 10:50 am:
" Suspended drivers should have their vehicles impounded and pay rent to the impound yard (which should be owned by the county of the driver). If suspended drivers are cought driver a vehicle owned by someone else, it should be confiscated and auctioned off by the state, give the proceeds to youth programs. "

 kelly wrote on February 17, 2008 7:05 pm:
" Unbelievable, Andrea gone. So very sad. I have driven on country roads, I understand how an accident like this can happen, even to a driver with a clean driving record. This was not the fault of a bad driver or a driver with a suspended license. This could have happened to anyone of us. Hence the word "accident". As we pray for Andrea's family and friends lets for pray for our own family and friends. Accidents are freakish, striking when we least expect it. Maybe Tyler T. should get just a bit of credit, have you stopped to think that the small children in the van were spared? Maybe just maybe,he reacted and steered the expedition (in the moments of caos) to the left a little or the right a little, just enough to not hit the van with as much force. Who are we to judge his skills at that moment? God has taken Andrea home with him and God has spared Tyler and the occupants of the van. Let what is, is and what will be, be. Missed is what "is" for her children and missed is what will "be"for all of us that knew her. "

 val firefighter wrote on February 17, 2008 9:37 pm:
" It was by far one of the hardest calls i have ever had to respond to. Knowing that a young woman of her age had to pass away so needlessly, i hope that every person how is in or that drives a vehical should belt up every time the get in a car. The family and friends are in my prayers. "

 Theresa Kratochvil wrote on February 18, 2008 5:35 pm:
" I was so shocked to hear that Andrea was gone! I had only recently reconnected with her after losing touch for 4 years. She was a beautiful young woman inside and out! I loved her like I love my own children and will forever hold her in a special place in my heart. I miss you and love you Andrea! "

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