Douglas County, NE — April 11, 2024, Morris Combs was killed as the result of a dump truck accident at around 3:15 p.m. along Pawnee Road.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigators said the crash happened at Pawnee Road (Highway 36) northwest of Omaha, between Bennington and Fremont.
According to current statements, 69-year-old Morris L. Combs was in a Chevy Sonic traveling eastbound along the highway. At 240th Street, authorities believe Combs was attempting to pass a dump truck also going eastbound. That truck then tried to turn left to go northbound, and the vehicles collided. As a result, Combs was killed. No other injuries were reported.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
I certainly don’t know what happened here beyond what’s public, but I wanted to check out this stretch of road. The most up-to-date images I can find seem to show that the yellow line is divided, which generally means it’s legal to pass in the oncoming lane of traffic. The question is whether or not a driver could reasonably do so safely.
For example, if a vehicle ahead is slowing down with its turn signal on, reasonably prudent drivers would likely wait for the vehicle to move. But if a vehicle slams on its brakes or doesn’t signal their intention to turn, a driver could reasonably conclude it’s safe to pass when the other driver’s actions are actually putting them in danger.
I can’t say which scenario happened here—or even if something else unusual led to the crash. That would require a thorough accident reconstruction. It’s clear, however, that the path to getting the victim’s family the answers they deserve would have to include this question.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us