(Central Nebraska Today)
VALPARAISO — On Oct. 18, 2025 at approximately 10:47 p.m., the Saunders County 9-1-1 Center received a 911 call about a two-vehicle head-on accident on Highway 79 near W. South Street in Valparaiso.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a red 2006 Pontiac G6 driven by Austin Walla, 19, of Valparaiso was northbound on Highway 79 when it went off the road right, overcorrected, went off the road left, and then struck second vehicle head-on when re-entering the roadway.
The second vehicle was a southbound white 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Trina Christensen, 48, of Columbus.
Walla was declared deceased at the scene. Christensen was transported from the scene by medical helicopter and was later declared deceased. Next of kin have been notified.
Valparaiso Fire and Rescue, Ceresco Fire and Rescue, and the Nebraska State Patrol assisted on the scene.
Sheriff Chris Lichtenberg
Saunders County Sheriff’s Office
