Three dead in crash north of Wahoo, investigators seek information

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an accident that claimed the lives of three miners Tuesday night near Wahoo.

At around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Saunders County Sheriff’s Deputies called for NSP’s help at the scene of the two-vehicle crash that left several people dead. The accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 109, north of Wahoo.

After a preliminary investigation, investigators believe a Pontiac Grand Am, driven by Monica Chohon, 18, of Wahoo, was traveling southbound on Route 109 and stopped at a stop sign at the intersection. An unknown eastbound vehicle then stopped in the left lane of Autoroute 77. Traffic on Autoroute 77 has priority at this intersection. At this point, the Pontiac attempted to cross the intersection, but was struck by an eastbound Dodge Ram 3500, traveling in the right lane of Highway 77.

The collision caused the Pontiac to roll into the southern ditch of the intersection. The three occupants of the Pontiac, Monica Chohon, 18, James Chohon, 11, and Andrew Chohon, 7, all of Wahoo, were pronounced dead at the scene. Ram driver 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 seek to speak with the driver of this vehicle, as a witness to the accident. Anyone with information about the third unknown vehicle present at the intersection of Hwy 77 and Hwy 109 at the time of the crash is asked to call the Nebraska State Patrol at 402-479- 4921.

The accident is still under investigation.

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