A Nebraska snowplow driver is facing a misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide charge in connection with the death of State Trooper Kyle McAcy, who was killed while responding to a crash on Interstate 80 earlier this year.
According to court documents, Jordan M. Thomas, 56, of Palmyra, is scheduled to appear in Cass County Court on August 26. He is accused of causing the death of Trooper McAcy, 31, through careless driving during an incident that occurred on February 17 in Sarpy County.
McAcy, a 10-year veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol, and another trooper were assisting at the scene of a crash near mile marker 424 around 9:30 a.m. That crash occurred when an eastbound passenger vehicle collided with the back of a Nebraska Department of Transportation snowplow.
While the second trooper helped the driver of the passenger vehicle in a nearby ditch, Trooper McAcy approached the snowplow driver. Investigators believe McAcy instructed the driver to re-enter the vehicle and move it.
Moments later, the snowplow was allegedly put into reverse, striking and fatally injuring Trooper McAcy. Witnesses quickly alerted the other trooper at the scene, but McAcy was pronounced dead before life-saving efforts could begin.
Following the incident, Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London requested an inspection of the snowplow by the Iowa State Patrol. That investigation, along with findings from the Sheriff’s Office, was submitted to Cass County Attorney Chris Perrone, who opted to pursue charges.
If convicted, Thomas could face up to one year in jail for the misdemeanor offense.
Trooper McAcy’s passing was the first line-of-duty death for a Nebraska State Patrol officer since Trooper Jerry Smith, who died in a 2019 car crash.
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