By Crash News Writer 
Cass County, NE (September 12, 2026) – A grandfather and grandson from Texas were killed early Thursday morning when the Mazda SUV they occupied was involved in a crash with a Union Pacific train at a rural railroad crossing southwest of Plattsmouth.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol , Nebraska roadway incidents involving fatalities may remain subject to investigation by local and state authorities. The September 10 crash was reported at approximately 5:59 a.m. near 12th Street and Church Road in Cass County.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as 73-year-old Vernon Hays and his 22-year-old grandson, Gabriel Johnson, both of Kingsland, Texas. Investigators reported that the men were traveling west on Church Road in a Mazda SUV when the vehicle was involved in a collision with a northbound Union Pacific train.
Hays and Johnson were pronounced dead at the scene. The crossing is located along a narrow gravel road and is marked by railroad crossing signs.
Murray Fire and Rescue, Cass County Emergency Management, a Union Pacific Railroad special agent, and the Cass County Attorney’s Office also responded. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Union Pacific are conducting investigations into the fatal crash.
Protect Your Rights After a Fatal Accident Today
Fatal accidents involving trains and motor vehicles can involve complex investigations, multiple agencies, insurance questions, and substantial evidence. Understanding car accident laws in Nebraska can help families learn about legal considerations that may apply following a deadly roadway incident.
Anyone searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Cass County should preserve photographs, witness information, insurance correspondence, official communications, and documentation of accident-related losses. Obtaining a car accident report may also provide important information gathered during the investigation.
Prompt legal action can help families preserve evidence and avoid overlooking applicable deadlines. People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Cass County may need to document funeral expenses, lost financial support, insurance information, and other financial consequences. An attorney can review the car accident report, railroad records, witness accounts, vehicle evidence, crossing information, and official investigative findings to explain potential legal options. Because both the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Union Pacific are investigating, conclusions about responsibility should not be made solely from preliminary reports.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article is based on initial information provided by authorities and may be updated as the investigations progress. Readers seeking general information about accident-related legal matters can review frequently asked questions in Nebraska .
Vernon Hays and Gabriel Johnson were identified as the two people who died in the crash. Additional investigative findings, including any contributing circumstances, toxicology information, or potential citations, were not included in the initial report. Further details may be released by authorities as their investigations continue.
Families seeking additional information following a serious or fatal accident can review accident resources in Nebraska . Motorists should consult local authorities or traffic monitoring services for current road or railroad crossing conditions.
This news story is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Information is based on public reports available at the time of publication, and details may change as investigators provide additional findings. Readers should seek appropriate professional guidance concerning their individual circumstances. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this article. Learn more through our disclaimer.
If your family has been affected by a fatal train or vehicle accident, call a Nebraska personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your rights, applicable deadlines, and potential legal options.