An off-duty Ashland, Neb., police officer was killed Tuesday in a three-vehicle accident in Sarpy County.
Officer Daniel Ottis, 58, a 10-year veteran of Ashland's force, was pronounced dead at the crash scene between Ashland and Gretna.
The collision at 234th Street and U.S. Highway 6 was reported at 5:42 p.m.
An eastbound 1994 Ford F-150 pickup was stopped on the highway, trying to turn left. It was struck from behind by another pickup, a 2002 GMC Sierra, State Patrol Sgt. Bryce Triplett said.
The impact pushed the Ford pickup into the west lane, where it collided with Ottis' westbound motorcycle.
The crash remained under investigation, and a portion of Highway 6 was closed for several hours.
News of Ottis' death spread quickly to law enforcement agencies in the region.
"It's a small department out here, and we're close," Police Chief Mark Powell said. "It's certainly not easy."
Powell said Ottis was an avid cyclist who was a member of both the Blue Knights and the Patriot Guard Riders.
