Fernando Ortiz , Waverly Obituary, Death – Authorities in Lancaster County have released the identity of the man who lost his life in a crash that happened east of Waverly on Thursday morning. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was 86-year-old Fernando Ortiz, a Waverly resident. Despite efforts from first responders, Ortiz was pronounced dead at the scene.
Waverly Fire and Rescue received the emergency call at 9:14 a.m. and rushed to the intersection of North 162nd Street and Bluff Road, where the collision had taken place. When they arrived, they found a heavily damaged red vehicle that had been pushed off the roadway and into a nearby ditch.
Capt. John Vik of the sheriff’s office explained that the crash occurred when a Lancaster County Engineering Department dump truck, traveling southbound, collided with Ortiz’s westbound vehicle in the intersection. According to investigators, the dump truck driver did not stop at the posted stop sign, a mistake linked to heavy fog that had settled over the area Thursday morning. The reduced visibility reportedly contributed to the driver’s inability to see the intersection clearly, leading to the fatal impact.
The force of the collision propelled Ortiz’s vehicle across the intersection before it came to rest in the ditch. Inside the car with him was his wife, who survived but suffered serious injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she is being treated and is described as being in serious but stable condition. The sheriff’s office noted that both individuals had their seatbelts on at the time of the crash, a factor that likely helped reduce the severity of her injuries.
In addition to the two occupants, one dog was also in the vehicle and was taken to a veterinary clinic in Waverly for care. No details were immediately released regarding the dog’s condition.
Capt. Vik stated that the dump truck driver has been fully cooperative with the ongoing investigation. At the time of the crash, the driver had been working on a road maintenance task, placing gravel along the roadway. Both the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol are examining all aspects of the incident to determine what led to the collision and whether any citations or further actions will be taken.
Investigators will review visibility conditions, road markings, the positioning of traffic signs, and the driver’s actions leading up to the crash. Fog can create extremely hazardous conditions, especially at rural intersections where drivers rely heavily on clear visibility to identify stop signs and cross-traffic.
This tragic crash marks the fourth roadway fatality in Lancaster County over the last two weeks, raising concerns among local officials and community members. The recent string of deadly incidents has placed renewed focus on road safety, driver awareness, and the challenges posed by seasonal weather conditions.
Residents in the Waverly area have expressed sadness over the loss of Ortiz, who was well-known in the community. The collision has also prompted discussions about the risks faced by drivers in rural parts of the county, where long stretches of roadway and limited visibility can create dangerous situations, particularly during fog, snow, or early-morning darkness.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging drivers to take extra caution in low-visibility conditions by slowing down, using headlights, and approaching intersections with heightened awareness. Even when weather conditions seem manageable, unexpected fog patches can limit reaction time and create sudden hazards.
The sheriff’s office is expected to release additional updates as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, the community continues to hope for the recovery of Ortiz’s wife while mourning the loss of a longtime resident whose life was cut short in a moment of reduced visibility at a rural intersection.
