OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — UPDATE:
Another person in that crash has died, a baby just 18 months old. This brings the total deaths up to 4.
New court documents tell us what police saw when they first arrived to the scene of this horrific crash in downtown Omaha early last Friday morning.
They say Rachel Bickerstaff, another adult and three children ages 5, 18 months and just 11 days were in her SUV when she crashed into
70-year-old Michael Sales in his Subaru at roughly 105 -to- 116 miles per hour.
The force of the crash pushed each vehicle out of the intersection, Bickerstaff's jeep caught fire and those flames spread to Sales' car. He was killed before he could escape.
According to police reports the fire is what claimed the lives of the 5 year old and 11 day old baby in the back of Bickerstaff's SUV. She and the adult in the passenger seat were able to get out on their own with the 18month old.
All three were flown to a burn unit in Kansas City where the toddler died Tuesday. ER staff call that child's injuries "haunting."
The state Bickerstaff was in while driving is another shocking detail to come out of this affidavit. Officers said she had a blood alcohol content of .216.
Bickerstaff does have prior DUI from back in 2020.
Douglas County attorney Don Kleine said he'll file a fourth homicide charge soon..
According to Omaha Police:
"The Omaha Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating a two car crash that killed three people Friday morning, and sent three others to the hospital. Officers were called to S 10th and Douglas Streets shortly before 1:30 a.m. where they found two cars, a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and a 2017 Subaru Outback, on fire.
Crash investigators were able to determine the driver of the Jeep, identified as Rachel Bickerstaff, 33, was driving east on Douglas St when she struck the Subaru from behind pushing both cars to the east. The man driving the Subaru had just completed a left turn onto Douglas St from southbound S 10th St. The Subaru struck a light pole. The Jeep struck a tree and then rolled. Both cars caught fire and were engulfed in flames.
Ms. Bickerstaff, front seat passenger Eriviel Partida, 38 (man), and a child from the Jeep were taken to Nebraska Medicine for initial treatment. They have since been taken out of state to a specialized burn unit at another hospital. Two children were found dead inside the Jeep.
The driver and lone occupant of the Subaru was also found dead at the scene.
Due to the process of positively identifying the occupants of the two cars and next of kin notifications, no others involved will be identified at this time.
Crash investigators are consulting with the Douglas County Attorney’s Office on pending charges for Ms. Bickerstaff. Speed and alcohol are factors being investigated in this incident."
3 News Now has obtained court documents which show Bickerstaff has a prior DUI and reckless driving conviction.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
