A motorist assist volunteer was struck and killed Thursday on Kennedy Freeway just north of the Sarpy County line.
John Holcomb, 70, was helping another volunteer clear debris from the southbound lanes about 1:30 p.m. when he was struck, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Holcomb was a volunteer in the Metro Area Motorist Assist Program since 2014.
The motorist assistance program, in place in Omaha since 1998, involves volunteers working as two-person teams to help stranded motorists.
Typically, volunteers’ tasks include helping stranded motorists with gas or changing a tire, and clearing debris from the roadway.
The other volunteer working with Holcomb was not injured.
Tim Weander, supervisor of the Nebraska Department of Transportation District for Omaha, said this was the first time in memory that a motorist assist volunteer had been killed.
“We understand the speeds involved, we understand the safety aspect of the highway system because we deal with it everyday,” Weander said. “And John was out there helping us, helping you, clear the roads.”
Details of the crash will be released after the investigation is completed by the Omaha Police Department.