On October 27th, 2024, at 3:40 a.m., the Omaha Fire Department (OFD) and Omaha Police Department (OPD) responded to a single-car crash at the intersection of 144th and Hillsdale Avenue. Upon arrival, first responders found a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee split in half, with a small fire inside. The lone occupant was pronounced dead at the scene, according to an OPD press release.
Photo from the scene of the fatal crash at 144th and Hillsdale Avenue.
Credit: OPD Project Night Life via X
According to crash investigators, 24-year-old Brenden Patire was traveling northbound on 144th Street at an estimated speed exceeding 100 MPH when he lost control of his vehicle. He veered off the road to the right, striking a metal traffic pole and other objects. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Video from 144th and Hillsdale Avenue showing damage and vigil items left after the fatal crash from October 27th, 2024.
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In the overnight hours from Sunday, October 27th, to Monday, October 28th, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) implemented special attention patrols at 144th Street and Hillsdale Avenue in response to a candlelight vigil held at the site of the recent fatal crash.
Photo showing 45 MPH speed limit in the area of 144th and F Street.
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As a result of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office's special attention patrols, two vehicles belonging to suspected candlelight vigil attendees were stopped for excessive speeds of 73 MPH and 92 MPH at 144th and F Street. The posted speed limit in that area is 45 MPH.
Speeding tickets issued on October 27th, 2024.
This incident marks the 51st fatal crash that the Omaha Police Department is investigating in 2024. Of the 37 fatal crashes with immediate press releases available, 11—nearly 30%—identified speed as a contributing factor or primary cause.
DCSO Sheriff Aaron Hanson provided the following exclusive comment:
“We’ve been long preaching the fact that excessive speeds and street racing is deadly. This weekend’s deadly accident is further tragic proof. It’s almost unbelievable that individuals would mourn a death caused by excessive speed while engaging in similar behavior. Speeding is a conscious choice and a preventable tragedy. We need our state lawmakers to strengthen speeding laws, as proactive enforcement alone isn’t enough. These drivers may need to face jail time and be separated from their vehicles to protect themselves and keep our roads safe for everyone.”
Sheriff Aaron Hanson
Courtesy of Douglas County Sheriff's Office