Omaha Man Arrested after U-Haul Pursuit on I-80 near Kearney

May 27, 2026 (Kearney, Neb.)  — A multi-agency effort led to the arrest of an Omaha man after a pursuit with a U-Haul truck on Interstate 80.

The incident began late Tuesday evening, when the Kearney Police Department received a report that a U-Haul and attached flatbed trailer hauling a car had been stolen from a hotel in Kearney. KPD officers quickly located the U-Haul and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to yield, causing a pursuit to ensue. Buffalo County Deputies and Nebraska State Troopers responded to assist.

The U-Haul left Kearney westbound and eventually entered I-80 traveling eastbound at the Odessa interchange, near mile marker 263. Troopers took over the primary position in the pursuit. As the U-Haul passed the Kearney interchange, additional troopers deployed stop sticks to slow the vehicle.

The U-Haul slowed dramatically, to approximately 15 miles per hour, and began emitting sparks. At times, the sparks caused small fires in the median of I-80, which were quickly extinguished by the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. Near mile marker 281 the car trailer detached from the U-Haul and came to a stop in the lanes of travel on I-80. The trooper continued the pursuit until the U-Haul stopped on I-80 near mile marker 284.

The driver was taken into custody without further incident just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Troopers, deputies, and officers were all present to assist in making the arrest. The driver, Jeffrey Ritchison, 40, of Omaha, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension, and numerous traffic violations. The Kearney Police Department has additional charges of flight to avoid arrest and robbery. Ritchison was lodged in Buffalo County Jail.

NSP’s role in the pursuit lasted approximately 40 minutes.