Nebraska recorded one traffic fatality on Interstate 80 during the eight days of the I-80 Challenge enforcement July 24-31. The I-80 Challenge was a multi-state, multi-agency high visibility traffic enforcement operation encompassing all 2900 miles of the Interstate 80 corridor.

The one fatal crash in Nebraska occurred Thursday, July 25, in Seward County and claimed the life of Godfrey J. Brokenrope, 50, Aurora.  Brokenrope, the Chief Police in Aurora, Nebraska, crashed his motorcycle into the median after coming up on traffic slowed due to a previous accident. Brokenrope, who was wearing a helmet, was flown by medical helicopter to a Lincoln hospital. He died of his injuries on Saturday, July 27.

“We are extremely saddened by the loss of Chief Brokenrope,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As we think of Chief Brokenrope and his family, we are reminded that one life lost in a traffic crash is one too many.”

Troopers worked more than 2,900 enforcement hours, and dynamic message boards displayed safety messages across the state during the eight days of the I-80 Challenge.  A $15,500 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) helped to pay for overtime hours for troopers and communication specialists participating in the special enforcement effort.

Colonel Sankey said, “The I-80 Challenge allowed us to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to raise awareness of the need for voluntary compliance of all traffic safety laws.”

The following statistics are a reflection of statewide activity by the Nebraska State Patrol during the I-80 Challenge enforcement effort: