Pedro Chavez Rodriguez, (Hall County Department of Corrections, Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND — The Grand Island Police Department is investigating a vehicle crash which left one 19 year old male deceased.
At 2:58 am Christmas/Wednesday morning Dec. 26, GI Fire, EMS and Police were dispatched to the intersection of S. Blaine St. and W. Lamar Ave for a vehicle crash.
Preliminary investigation shows a silver Dodge Charger driven by the victim, was northbound on S. Blaine St. at a high rate of speed.
A silver Nissan Altima was turning southbound onto Blaine from Lamar Ave. The Nissan and the Charger impacted in the intersection however the speed of the Dodge Charger caused the vehicle to travel over 250 feet to the north and into the front yard at 811 S. Blaine where the vehicle struck a tree. The driver and sole occupant of the Dodge Charger was deceased at the scene upon arrival.
The victim was identified as:
• Thomas Villa-Estrada – 19 years old – Grand Island, NE
The silver Nissan Altima had left the scene prior to officers’ arrival. The investigation found this vehicle parked near an apartment in the 1500 block of W. Koenig. Contact was made with the driver of this vehicle, Pedro Chavez Rodriguez. Pedro was subsequently arrested.
• Pedro Chavez Rodriguez – 67 years old – Grand Island, NE
No Operator’s License, Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision
Next of kin has been notified. S. Blaine St. remained closed until 8:20 am Wednesday morning. The investigation is ongoing with members of the GIPD Accident Reconstruction Team working to reconstruct the crash. GIPD Officers were assisted by GIFD and the Hall County Attorney’s Office.
