Wakefield, NE (May 6, 2026) – A motorcyclist was killed following a crash with a car at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 35, just north of Wakefield, on Tuesday, May 5.
Emergency units were called to the scene at approximately 5:42 a.m. The crash involved a northbound motorcycle and a southbound Chevrolet Malibu. The car’s driver, Cain Pacheco Escobar, 42, made a left turn to head east on Highway 35 and struck the motorcycle as it crossed through the intersection.
The motorcyclist, identified as Ernesto De La Cruz, 35, was airlifted to a hospital in Omaha, where he was later pronounced dead. Escobar was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The incident remains under review by authorities. Our condolences go out to the family of Ernesto De La Cruz.
What Factors Make Motorcycle Crashes at Rural Nebraska Intersections So Dangerous?
Rural intersections in Nebraska — where two-lane highways cross with little warning — are some of the more dangerous spots for motorcyclists. Sightlines can be limited, and traffic volumes are low enough that drivers may not expect oncoming motorcycles when making turns. At early morning hours, reduced visibility adds another layer of risk.
Left-turn crashes are one of the most common causes of motorcycle fatalities in the United States. When a vehicle turns left across an oncoming lane, the window for a motorcyclist to react is very small, especially at highway speeds. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than other vehicles, which makes judging their speed and distance more difficult for turning drivers. These factors combine to make left-turn collisions particularly deadly for riders.
