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Gretna Woman Dies From Crash Injuries Save Email Print
Deputies say she ran red light, hit van
Posted: 5:21 PM May 12, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:02 AM May 13, 2008
32 comments
A | A | A

A rush hour accident in Sarpy County claimed the life of a driver late Monday afternoon.

Sarpy County Sheriff's Department deputies say 50-year-old Marsha Erwin of Gretna ran a red light and collided with a van at 144th Street and Giles Road just before 5 p.m.

She was not wearing a seat belt and died after being taken by helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center. The other driver, 44-year-old Melaine Ernst of Springfield, was treated and released from Midlands Hospital.

The crash forced the closing of 144th Street between Giles and Chandler. Traffic was backed up for more than three hours.
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Posted by: me on May 14, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I attend school with the womans daughter. My prayers go out to this family.
Posted by: Omaha on May 14, 2008 at 04:48 AM
You know what the weirdest thing about this loss of life is? That family members are trolling TV station web sites, writing replys to anonymous posters instead of grieving their loss. The LAST thing I'd be doing if a relative of mine was killed in a car accident would be hanging out on the web posting how much I loved him/her so about 50 people I'll never know can read it. Just odd......
Posted by: Bruce on May 14, 2008 at 12:56 AM
With people on cell phones, running yellow lights, speeding and most importantly that turn that is supposed to be the closest lane not straight to the left lane. No signaling. My condolences to the family. But this is what happens....
Posted by: Rick on May 13, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Dear "she got what she deserved", I have been praying for God to comfort my family in this time of grief. Friday we will celebrate the life of my cousin and her being welcomed into our Lord God's kingdom. She was a wonderful person. She has a family that will miss her dearly. I will now include you in my prayers that God will find a way to save you through his Son Jesus Christ. I forgive you and may God also forgive you. Praise God
Posted by: Jamie Kurtz on May 13, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Marsha was a great person and she will be deeply missed. I've know her pretty much my whole life. She was like a second mom to me. My heart goes out to my best friend Shannon, Amber, Matt and the rest of the family. There all great people. I'm so sorry.
Posted by: Alice on May 13, 2008 at 04:59 PM
My beautiful niece did not deserve to die you heartless SOB. how could you be so cruel, You have no idea what it is to lose a child, and God help you ,to never have to find out. No matter if they are 1 or 50 they are your babies and the grief is so deep, May God forgive you for being so stupid as to make a comment like that. This was the most precious, beautiful person in this world, I loved her with all my heart as does all her family, and I hope my brother, Marsha's Dad, and her Mom never get to see this. Thank all of you for your words of Comfort and your Prayers for our family
Posted by: school friend on May 13, 2008 at 02:43 PM
I am so sorry for the loss and some of you that think she should of died how would you like it and her daughter is about to graduate and know she is gone that is sad
Posted by: Jazz on May 13, 2008 at 02:41 PM
The things some of these people are saying are HORRIBLE! She did not deserve to die, and her family needs all the support they can get right now! I am a friend of Amber, and she didn't show up at school today. HER LAST DAY IN HIGH SCHOOL, and she didn't show up. What crappy timing.
Posted by: Natalie on May 13, 2008 at 02:39 PM
I am so sorry for the family of the woman who died. Her daughter who just graduated from my highschool was in my newspaper class. She's great. I hope that she is able to push through the bad times and continue to celebrate her graduate. I would also like to say that I am thankful that the other woman is ok. I go to church with her and her family. They're great people and I am sure they are thankful that Melanie is ok but also upset that another person died. Amber I always enjoyed reading your articles, keep writing, and good luck at college.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 02:24 PM
the daughter attends my school and its devastating for all of us. its terrible and unfair. our thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. it would be greatly appreciated if you would stop saying she deserved it. NO ONE deserves that.
Posted by: Michelle on May 13, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I just want to offer my condolences to the family of the women that was killed. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Posted by: ed on May 13, 2008 at 01:55 PM
There are a lot of responsed that admit this intersection is dangerous. Shouldn't that be reason enough to be extra alert? It has been said time and again that red light runners are at epidemic proportions. That being said, we all need to drive more defensively.
Posted by: Co-worker on May 13, 2008 at 01:35 PM
My heart goes out to Marsha's Family, she was a co-worker and a very good person. This is a very sad event for the family during a week that was supposed to be filled with joy. You see Marsha's daughter was to graduate from High school this week and it was all she talked about. So while some have suggested she was in hurry, I am sure her mind was pre-occupied thinking of her first child to graduate from High School and the celebration she was planning for this weekend. "Now you know the rest of the story." Bruce get a life and have a heart!!
Posted by: JLA on May 13, 2008 at 01:32 PM
This intersection is terrible!I agree with He'th,they really need to do a survey of this intersection and consider widening Giles, there is too much traffic and there have been so many accidents.I come home from 370 and I now take a right at 168th because traffic has gotten so bad.They need to also widen the turn lane going left off of 144th and Giles, I've almost been hit there because traffic is so backed up at the end of the day, see cars fly from behind me.Speed limits also need to be enforced and "California" stops, I've seen so many pull up to turn, see if anyone is coming and just go, its gotten ridiculous.Do they teach you that's ok in drivers ed? If so, I don't remember that. I remember one of the last crashes last summer,we were out of power for nearly 4-6 hrs. Something needs to be done. Sarpy,please look into this safety hazard!
Posted by: marcia on May 13, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I have a few words for 'I have one'. First, she got want she deserved!!??? Where is your heart?? Do you even have one? How can you say that? Noone 'deserves' to die in an accident. NO ONE!! Second, where does it say its 'YOUR ROAD'?? Is your name Giles? My heart goes out to the family of the victim. It's a sad thing.
Posted by: A family member on May 13, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Thank you for all the prayers & kind thoughts, we need them at this time. As far as "she got what she deserved" I hope your family never has to feel the pain we do right now and then hear someone say something so stupid. She deserved to live, she deserved to see her daughter graduate this weekend, she deserved to watch her grandchildren grow up. Her children deserved to have their mother! To Jay, our next move is to plan a funeral for my aunt, mourn her loss & help her daughter some how make it through her graduation, not everyone is money hungry and sue happy so shame on you to assume such a thing. She wasn't being impatient, or in a hurry, she was probably distracted by something for a split second and this awful accident happened, we will never know for sure. All we do know is that it was an ACCIDENT she didn't go around running red lights for fun! To the woman driving the van, we are thankful you were not seriously injured and send our prayers that you heal fast.
Posted by: Doug on May 13, 2008 at 11:59 AM
As I read these posts I am astounded by the fact that today's society always wants to blame something else. The intersection is not dangerous; the people not paying attention and not following proper rules are dangerous. The county does not need to "study" this intersection. People need to study their driving. Get off the phone, drive the speed limit, don't try to "beat the light", and be conscientious of the other drivers. We all think it is "about me" and that I am the only one that matters. We are always in a hurry because we don't plan. It is unfortunate that this lady lost her life, but how many others will not learn from this tragedy? Start taking responsibility for your actions. Quit trying to blame something else. PAY ATTENTION! The next life lost at that intersection could be yours.
Posted by: To I on May 13, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Seriously, she deserved to die? What has this world come to? They call it an accident for a reason!!! You think she woke up that morning and said..."you know what, I'm gonna run a red light and die!" Probably not. My heart goes out to this family. Very tragic.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 10:09 AM
To: I have one... IT'S NOT YOUR ROAD!!! She did not "get what she deserved. You are heartless.....Karma is a b***h, boy...Good luck with all that!
Posted by: D on May 13, 2008 at 08:36 AM
People, a women is dead, and a family is grieving. Yes she wasn't wearing her seat belt, and ran a red light. Have a little compassion for the family, and tailor your comments accordingly.
Posted by: Jesse on May 13, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Jay: 144th (It's really HW 50) and Giles is in an unincorporated part of Sarpy County, not the City of Omaha which is in Douglas County. OPD has no jurisdiction. Sorry, it's not OPD's fault. But to get back on topic, at fault or not, nobody should lose their life in a traffic accident. It's a tragedy.
Posted by: Concerned on May 13, 2008 at 08:13 AM
I too live in the area and have noticed an increase in North/South drivers on 144th running the yellow/red lights. Not sure what can be done, but this is a scary intersection. Unfortunately, I have to drive through it everyday to go to/from work. In the two years I've lived in the area, there have been at least 2 deadly accidents that I know about, and many more accidents in general. My thoughts and prayers go out to this lady and her family. Life isn't a race, we should all learn from this and slow down to enjoy the little thing - "smell the roses"
Posted by: Jay on May 13, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Lets see, runs a red light, not wearing a seat belt. 2 strikes....... Sad to see a life lost over impatience. Unfortunately, as long as the OPD ignors red light runners, this will occur again & again. Family's next most likely move: hire JMD to sue the city for not telling this woman that running a red light was potentially fatal.
Posted by: GM on May 13, 2008 at 07:55 AM
This is A bad intersection! I have seen many accidents at this location, and so many close calls. It's usually people turning onto Giles from 144th because the people driving north & south on 144th are at least driving 60mph or better and are alway's blowing through the yellow/red lights.
Posted by: I have one on May 13, 2008 at 01:19 AM
She got what she deserved. Seat belt wouldn't have mattered. Giles has become a DEATH trap since they put that darn soccer complex on there. If you don't live there - STAY OFF MY ROAD. I've almost been hit several times just trying to get out of my stupid driveway. Stay off your phones and pay attention to your driving. SLOW DOWN. Life is a journey, dig it
Posted by: Bruce on May 13, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Another example of being in a hurry to go nowhere. If everyone followed the rules of the road there would be no mishaps like this.
Posted by: He'th on May 12, 2008 at 10:19 PM
The county needs to seriously review this intersection as this is one of many recent accidents occurring at this location. Due to increased housing being built and 168th being closed between Giles and Harrison, traffic levels are well above the ability for a single lane non divided highway. I would like to see the traffic lights revamped for 144th and Giles allowing Giles to have a dedicated turning light arrow and Giles to be expanded to a full two lane divided highway between 144th and 168th. I fear if some measure is not taken, accidents such as these will become the norm.
Posted by: Amy on May 12, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Prayers for the family--how awful. People are so opposed to the red light cameras but I really think if they were up people wouldn't run red lights. I don't feel like it's "big brother" watching--I really think it would help us be safer. I think the only ones who don't want them must be the light runners.
Posted by: Concerned on May 12, 2008 at 09:18 PM
I feel very sad for the woman's family and my heart goes out to them. But I do have to say that in the last 3 weeks since they closed 168th street there has been one accident after another, many of them not making the news. We were rear ended at the exact same intersection last Monday night and were almost hit again tonight when someone cut right in front of us on 156th and Giles. My good friend was hit by a man that ran a red light last Monday morning just up the street and she ended up rolling her vehicle with two young children in the car just because someone was in a hurry. The traffic is terrible and everyone's good driver skills have gone right out the window. I live in the neighborhood nearby and there are people running stop signs and red lights all the time. Something needs to be done. This was very poor planning on the county's part. How many more people are going to be hurt or killed in the next 6 months before this project is completed?
Posted by: Yeah on May 12, 2008 at 07:35 PM
More cell phone yakkin' and tailgating caused at least one of these.
Posted by: Jeff on May 12, 2008 at 06:15 PM
That intersection is very busy and dangerous, I am sure additional problems will happen at that intersection. Sarpy county needs to get 168th street open again, or hard surface 180th street.
Posted by: Marie on May 12, 2008 at 05:53 PM
There have been so many accidents at this location I wonder what could be done to improve this location. I live in Rock Creek apartments way in the back and I even heard this accident.
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