KEARNEY, Neb. — A Kearney man is facing several charges after police say he was found intoxicated behind the wheel with an unsecured toddler inside his vehicle during a hit-and-run investigation.
Court records say officers were looking for a vehicle involved in a reported hit-and-run crash at Walgreens on June 20 when they saw a white pickup driving the wrong way on West 24th Street. Police activated their emergency lights, and the pickup pulled into a driveway near West 24th Street and Ninth Avenue.
The driver was identified as 38-year-old Nicholas Thompson of Kearney.
According to an affidavit, officers reported that Thompson had slurred speech, an unsteady gait, and admitted he had been drinking. Police also said they smelled alcohol during a pat-down and later found several open alcohol containers inside the pickup.
Investigators also reported finding a toddler in the vehicle who was not properly restrained. Court documents say the child was sitting in a forward-facing car seat but was completely unbuckled, with an adult seatbelt draped around her.
Officers said they found a partially consumed bottle of Fireball whiskey and a half-consumed beer can inside the vehicle, including alcohol containers located near the child.
Police attempted to conduct field sobriety tests, but court records say Thompson was too impaired to complete them. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.183%. After Thompson was taken to the Buffalo County Jail, a later test recorded his BAC at 0.201%, according to court documents.
While officers continued the investigation, they worked with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to identify the child and arrange safe placement. Court records state the child’s mother was incarcerated in the Dawson County Jail, and no licensed family members were available to take custody. DHHS then took emergency custody of the child.
Police later connected Thompson’s pickup to the reported hit-and-run after observing damage consistent with the crash. Officers said Thompson denied being involved in an accident.
Thompson is charged in Buffalo County Court with third-offense DUI, transporting a child while intoxicated, intentional child abuse without injury, driving under suspension, possession of an open alcohol container, and careless driving. Court records also show he was cited for leaving the scene of an accident.
The case remains pending.
