Child’s death forces study of Highway 75 intersection

Updated Feb 6, 2015

 

The Nebraska Department of Roads is looking for a way to temporary fix a Highway 75 intersection following a car crash that took the life of Madelynne Hughes, a 7-year-old girl.

The accident took place at Highway 75 and Platteview Road where the intersection allows left turns across traffic. Although Nebraska officials already had plans to install an interchange with on and off ramps sometime in the next two to five years, the accident has them looking for an immediate temporary solution.

Currently, Highway 75 shuttles 20,000 to 30,000 cars daily, driving at 55 mph, into and out of the metro area. A new Missouri River bridge has added more traffic, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Taylor Hughes, Madelynne’s 17-year-old sister, was driving north on Highway 75 before trying to turn left onto Platteview Road to head west. Her vehicle was hit in the intersection by a southbound van. Hughes was cited for failing to yield the right of way.

The Omaha World-Herald reports another car veered off the road and hit a pole while trying to avoid the crash. A total of four people were injured in the three-vehicle wreck.

The intersection had four crashes in 2014.

In the next few years, Nebraska officials have plans to realigned and move Platteview Road about a half-mile south to tie into a new Highway 34 interchange. Once completed Highway 75 will be converted into a freeway system.