A heartbreaking collision in Saunders County has claimed the lives of two St. Edward residents, leaving their small Nebraska community devastated. The fatal crash happened Sunday at the intersection of Highway 77 and County Road A and involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck. The Saunders County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both riders on the motorcycle died at the scene, marking a tragic end to what should have been an ordinary afternoon drive.
According to investigators, the crash involved a 2008 Honda GL1800 motorcycle traveling north on Highway 77 and a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado heading east on County Road A. Early findings show that the pickup pulled onto the highway just as the motorcycle approached. As the truck crossed the northbound lane, the motorcycle struck the front passenger side of the vehicle. The violent impact left no time for the riders to react or avoid the collision.
The victims have been identified as 65-year-old Daniel Gaunt and 60-year-old Helen Rosso, both from St. Edward, Nebraska. Emergency responders pronounced them dead at the scene. Authorities noted that both Gaunt and Rosso were wearing helmets, a detail shared to answer early public questions and emphasize that the pair had been taking safety precautions. Officials also confirmed that alcohol is not suspected for either driver, underscoring that this tragedy unfolded despite responsible behavior.
Highway 77 remained closed for several hours as deputies carefully processed the crash site, documented evidence, and cleared damaged vehicles from the roadway. The highway was fully reopened shortly before 4 p.m., allowing traffic to return to normal. Investigators say the incident remains under active review and that additional information may be released as reconstruction efforts continue. Interviews, evidence analysis, and scene mapping will all play a role in determining what led to the fatal moment.
For residents of St. Edward—located about two hours from Omaha—the news has been deeply painful. In smaller towns where people know one another by name, losses like this ripple far beyond immediate family. Gaunt and Rosso were known in their community, and their sudden deaths have left friends, neighbors, and loved ones grieving while trying to understand how such a tragedy could occur so quickly.
The Saunders County Sheriff’s Office has not issued further requests for public information but encourages anyone with firsthand knowledge of the crash to come forward. For now, officials remain focused on a thorough investigation while the community gathers to support those most affected by this devastating loss.
