A car-semi crash on Highway 26 near Mitchell in Scottsbluff County claims two lives.

The crash occurred, just before 8:30 p.m. (MDT), Monday, March 21, on Highway 26, one mile west of Mitchell, when a 2002 Mercury Cougar northbound on a county road, failed to yield to a semi traveling westbound on Highway 26.

The driver of the Mercury, John H. Russell, 21, of Scottsbluff, and a passenger Brady J. Lenz, 22, of Alliance, died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the semi, Sean R. Ash, 24, Scottsbluff was not injured. Seat belts were in use by all parties.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Mitchell and Morrill Police Departments, Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department and Valley Ambulance and Regional West Medical Center Air Link.