Two women killed and 19 hospitalized after car crash slammed into crowd in Nebraska

Two women have been killed and 19 people have been hospitalized after a horror crash saw cars slam into a crowd of pedestrians in Nebraska.

The two victims were occupants of one of the cars which smashed into the other late last night at an intersection in Lincoln, around the same time as an Americruise event was taking place.

Initial reports suggest one of the vehicles ran a red light before striking the other car, sending them both spinning towards pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Two women have been killed and 19 people have been hospitalized after a horror crash saw cars slam into a crowd of pedestrians in Nebraska

The two victims were occupants of one of the cars which smashed into the other late last night at an intersection in Lincoln

One person is said to have life-threatening injuries following the crash near 52nd and O St. O St from 48th to 56th Streets.

Footage from the scene showed a car wreckage consumed by fire as a crowd of panicking pedestrians fled.

It is not yet clear if the crash was connected to Americruise or not.

The event sees drivers flock to Lincoln over Memorial Day Weekend to show off their vehicles.

A Facebook page for the event said: ‘Every Memorial Day Weekend, hundreds of cars, bikes, and trucks flock to Lincoln, NE to cruise down O Street to show off their rides and do some hooning!’ 

Organizers warned attendees of the potential risks of cruising, saying: ‘We want to remind everyone the police won’t be a stranger to this event so PLEASE cruise at your own risk and be cautious to those around you!

The two victims were occupants of one of the cars which smashed into the other late last night at an intersection in Lincoln

‘There will be large crowds all along O street and we don’t need anyone in a wreck or worse in the hospital!’

Lincoln Police Department said: ‘We are investigating a fatality accident near 52nd and O St. O St from 48th to 56th Streets is shut down in both directions and will be shut down for the next few hours. Please avoid the area.

‘Two female occupants of one of the involved vehicles have been declared deceased at the scene. 

‘A total of 19 other individuals have been transported to area hospitals, including a number of people who were present on the sidewalk area at the time of the crash. 

‘Of the 19 people transported to area hospitals, one is in critical condition. The other 18 people are believed to be in non-life threatening condition at this time.’