Driver in officer crash death, surrenders to authorities

BEATRICE - Nebraska State Patrol officers have arrested a Lincoln man in connection with the crash that killed Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett earlier this year. 50-year-old Tony Pierce was arrested for felony motor vehicle homicide.

The crash happened the evening of Friday, April 12. Officer Ross Bartlett’s patrol vehicle was struck while he was performing a traffic stop on Highway 77 in northern Lancaster County, about one mile south of Ceresco.

During the stop, Bartlett’s patrol vehicle and a Nissan Altima were both parked on the shoulder of Highway 77. Both drivers were seated in their vehicles when a southbound Ford F-150 hit Bartlett’s patrol vehicle from the rear, causing it to strike the Nissan.

 Bartlett died that evening from injuries suffered in the crash. The Nissan driver, 27-year-old Ke’vion Hill, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Bryan Health West Campus. Pierce was not seriously injured.

An investigation by troopers suspected that phone use was a factor in the crash. Pierce turned himself in to troopers Tuesday morning and was cited for felony motor vehicle homicide.

Ke’vion Hill was cited for driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce. He was arrested and jailed in Douglas County for an unrelated warrant.

Bartlett had served with Ceresco PD since 2017. He was also an investigator with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and served as a volunteer firefighter for Ceresco. Before that, he served with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, and Newman Grove Police Department.