Nebraska State Patrol identifies victims killed in crash near Wahoo, looking for witness

WAHOO, Neb. (WOWT) - Two children were among the three killed in Tuesday night’s fatal crash northeast of Wahoo, the Nebraska State Patrol reported Wednesday morning.

Driver Monica Chohon, 18, and 11-year-old James Chohon and 7-year-old Andrew Chohon were pronounced dead at the scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highways 77 and 109. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured, the NSP release states.

According to a preliminary crash investigation, Monica Chohon was driving a Pontiac Grand am southbound on Highway 109, then stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with Highway 77. About that same time, an unknown eastbound vehicle stopped in the left lane of Highway 77, which has the right of way at the intersection. Chohon then attempted to proceed through the intersection and was hit by an eastbound Dodge Ram 3500 pickup driven by a 40-year-old Fremont man traveling in the right lane of Highway 77, the NSP release states.

Saunders County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash and requested NSP assistance upon realizing there were multiple fatalities, the release states.

Investigators are looking for the driver of the unknown vehicle that stopped on Highway 77, then left the scene of the crash. Anyone with information that could help them locate that witness is asked to call NSP at 402-479-4921.

The crash is still under investigation, according to the state patrol.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation said Wednesday they had evaluated the intersection, upon request of local officials, to determine whether a traffic signal would improve safety, but determined that would not be the case.

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