Crash kills Platte County deputy

A Platte County sheriff's deputy was killed this morning in a crash just north of Cornlea, Neb.

Deputy Christopher Johnson, 34, of Columbus, was enroute to a reported crash with injuries. He was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Impala patrol car on Nebraska 91 when the fatal accident occurred.

The Nebraska State Patrol said a westbound 2000 Freightliner semi tractor trailer turning left onto the Cornlea spur struck Johnson's car, which was eastbound.

The deputy died at the scene.

The Freightliner's driver, Gene Schlake, 60, of Beatrice, was taken to a Columbus hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, the State Patrol said.

Johnson had been a Platte County sheriff's deputy since 2006.