NSP investigates motorcycle accident with three fatalities | 1340 KGFW

ARTHUR – The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a crash involving two motorcycles that left three people dead.

The accident occurred around 12:35 p.m. MT on Saturday. The Arthur County Sheriff's Department requested assistance from NSP after responding to reports of an accident on Highway 61 south of Arthur.

Two motorcycles were involved in the accident. When the rescue team arrived, they found two people dead and a third person with life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the two motorcycles were traveling south together when one lost control and struck the other motorcycle. The driver of the first motorcycle, Jacob Byrd, 36, of Brownlee, and the passenger of the second motorcycle, Stephanie Rodriquez, 45, of North Platte, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second motorcycle, Michael Laack, 52, of North Platte, was transported to Ogallala Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

NSP is conducting a comprehensive accident reconstruction investigation. Highway 61 was closed for approximately five hours while the investigation was conducted on site.

NSP was assisted by the Arthur County Volunteer Fire Department, Arthur County Sheriff's Department, Keith County Emergency Medical Services, Keystone and Lemoyne Volunteer Fire Departments, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska Game and Parks, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation.