A tragic collision at **70th and L Streets** on Wednesday claimed the life of **75-year-old Donald Wilson**, a man described by neighbors as gentle, steady, and always cautious behind the wheel. The crash unfolded just after **12:30 p.m.**, in broad daylight, near **CHI Health St. Elizabeth**, after
multiple witnesses reported seeing a **2021 gray Ford Explorer** speeding southbound and weaving recklessly through traffic moments before impact Wilson was attempting to make a **left turn** from **northbound 70th Street** onto **L Street** in his **2020 black Nissan Kicks** when the Explorer slammed into the passenger side of his vehicle with devastating force.
Several bystanders told officers that the SUV appeared to be traveling far above the speed limit, cutting between cars and ignoring basic roadway safety as it approached the intersection. The violent collision spun Wilson’s vehicle and left both occupants trapped inside as smoke began to rise from the crumpled metal.Lincoln Fire & Rescue crews, already close due to the nearby hospital, arrived within minutes. Wilson and his **74-year-old passenger
were quickly pulled from the wreck and rushed into the emergency department, but doctors could not overcome the severe trauma Wilson had suffered. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the woman who accompanied him remains in critical condition, fighting for her life.The driver of the Explorer stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, though police emphasize the inquiry is far from over.
Traffic camera footage, witness statements, and vehicle data will all help determine whether charges—potentially including reckless driving or motor-vehicle homicide—are warranted.For Wilson’s family, friends, and community, the sudden loss of a man who simply set out to run an afternoon errand has left deep grief and lingering questions about how one driver’s alleged recklessness could destroy a life in seconds.
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