Texas Man Arrested After Fatal Crash in Hitchcock County

JULY 19, 2024 (NORTH PLATTE, NEB.)  — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Texas man following a fatal crash in southwest Nebraska.

Thursday, at approximately 6:55 a.m. CT, the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Department requested Troopers to assist in responding to a fatal crash that involved two semi-trucks and trailers. The crash occurred at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 25.

Preliminary investigation shows that a semi-truck and trailer was traveling northbound on Highway 25, north of Trenton. The semi then failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection with Highway 6. The semi collided with another semi-truck and trailer that was traveling westbound on Highway 6.

The driver of the westbound semi, identified as Wayne Cook, 42, of McCook, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the northbound semi, Keith Gesegnet, 50, of Stephenville, Texas, has been lodged in Hitchcock County Jail for motor vehicle homicide, tampering with physical evidence, possession of alcohol in a commercial motor vehicle, open alcohol container, and numerous commercial vehicle violations.

The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction as well as a Carrier Enforcement post-crash inspection. The investigation remains ongoing.

Numerous agencies assisted on scene, including the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Department, McCook Police Department, Palisade and Trenton Fire Departments, and others.