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Omaha police identify a Council Bluffs man killed in a fiery accident

Omaha police identified the 70-year-old man who died in a fiery crash near Gene Leahy Mall last week. Michael Sales, of Council Bluffs, died in the accident, authorities said. The accident also left two children dead and three other people seriously injured, including another child.Previous coverage: 3 people, including 2 children, killed in fiery crash in downtown OmahaFirst responders arrived at the scene in a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2017 Subaru Outback just before 1:30 a.m. Friday at 10th and Douglas streets. Investigators said the driver of the Jeep, identified as 33-year-old Rachel Bickerstaff, was driving east on Douglas Street when she rear-ended the Subaru, pushing both cars east. The Subaru was heading south from 10th Street made a left onto Douglas Street and after the collision, the Subaru struck a light pole, Omaha police said. Authorities said the Jeep hit a tree and then rolled over. Due to the force of the impact, both SUVs crashed into guardrails and caught fire. “The vehicles were completely engulfed in flames, so the first priority of work was to extinguish the fire,” said Omaha police Sgt. Adam Turnbull.Two children were found dead in the Jeep, Omaha police said. A 38-year-old man who was sitting in the front seat and a child in the Jeep were taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for initial treatment and then transferred out of state to a specialized burn unit at another hospital, authorities said. Sales was the driver and sole occupant of the Subaru, Omaha police said. “We have no reason to believe the Subaru did anything wrong,” Lt. Danny Flynn of the Omaha Police Department. “It was just in traffic and then a car came in, we believe it was speeding, turned and left three people dead and possibly injured three others,” Omaha police said crash investigators said consulted with the Douglas County Attorney's Office regarding pending litigation charges for Bickerstaff. Speed ​​and alcohol are factors being investigated in the crash. Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

OMAHA, Neb. –

Omaha police identified the 70-year-old man who died in a fiery crash near Gene Leahy Mall last week.

Michael Sales, of Council Bluffs, died in the crash, authorities said.

The crash also killed two children and left three other people, including another child, critically injured.

Previous coverage: 3 people, including 2 children, killed in fiery accident in downtown Omaha

First responders arrived at the scene of a crash involving a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2017 Subaru Outback near 10th Street and Douglas Street shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday.

Investigators said the driver of the Jeep, identified as 33-year-old Rachel Bickerstaff, was traveling east on Douglas Street when she struck the Subaru from behind, pushing both cars east.

Sales, who was driving the Subaru, had just turned left onto Douglas Street from southbound 10th Street, and the Subaru struck a light pole after the collision, Omaha police said.

According to authorities, the Jeep crashed into a tree and then rolled. Due to the force of the impact, both SUVs crashed into guardrails and caught fire.

“The vehicles were completely engulfed in flames, so the first priority of work was to extinguish the fire,” said Omaha police Sgt. Adam Turnbull.

Two children were found dead in the Jeep, Omaha police said. A 38-year-old man who was sitting in the front seat and a child in the Jeep were taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for initial treatment and then transferred out of state to a specialized burn unit at another hospital, authorities said.

According to Omaha police, Sales was the driver and sole occupant of the Subaru.

“We have no reason to believe the Subaru did anything wrong,” Lt. Danny Flynn of the Omaha Police Department. “It was just in traffic and then a car came in, we think it was speeding and swerved, claiming three lives and possibly injuring three others.”

Omaha police said accident investigators are consulting with the Douglas County attorney's office about pending charges against Bickerstaff. Speed ​​and alcohol are factors being investigated in the crash.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

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