Illinois Man Arrested After Central Nebraska Pursuit

January 7, 2025 (Kearney, Neb.)  — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested one person following a pursuit in central Nebraska Tuesday.

At approximately 10:15 a.m., a trooper saw a BMW SUV traveling eastbound at 125 miles per hour on Interstate 80 near Kearney at mile marker 268. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle exited I-80 at the Kearney interchange and began traveling southbound on Highway 44. The driver continued southbound for several miles until it ran the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 44 and Highway 6. The vehicle then crossed railroad tracks at a high rate of speed, lost control, and crashed into a field.

The driver, Elias Areyzaga, 23, of Wheaton, Illinois, was taken into custody without further incident. Areyzaga refused medical transport but was transported by a trooper to Kearney Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. He was then lodged in Buffalo County Jail for flight to avoid arrest and willful reckless driving.