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Two killed in Lancaster County crash

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By CARA PESEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 - 05:46:07 pm CDT

About 4:30 Thursday morning — as soon as he heard the news —  Cameron Duba went to his friend Nathan Paulsen’s house.

Paulsen, 19, had been killed a few hours before in an accident on Nebraska 33 about four miles east of Crete. The accident also claimed the life of 50-year-old Man Huynh of Lincoln.

It appeared that Paulsen’s 1998 Pontiac Bonneville was westbound on the highway when he crossed the center line and crashed head-on into Huynh’s eastbound 1998 Toyota FourRunner, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.

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Both men were driving alone, and wearing seatbelts. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

“When we found out, it was kind of like a shock; everything stood still like it didn’t really happen,” said Duba, who had just seen his friend two days before.

Duba met Paulsen in elementary school, after Paulsen’s family moved to Crete. The two boys both loved sports — basketball, football, sand volleyball, just about anything, Duba said.

They both became part of a tight-knit group of about 20 guys that played football and basketball at Crete High School and that hung around together — sometimes playing sports, sometimes hunting or four-wheeling or just hanging out — on evenings and weekends.

“It was just a really close group,” Duba said.

Thursday, many of those friends flocked to the home of Paulsen’s parents — Ray and Laurie Paulsen — to offer support and remember their friend who Duba described as competitive and constantly in a good mood.

Paulsen was home from Norfolk, where he attends college, for the summer, working at Norris Public Power District, Duba said.

Even though Paulsen graduated from Crete High School in 2007, his death still hit students and staff hard, said Crete Superintendent Kyle McGowan.

“Nate was a good student and a tremendous athlete. He was part of the state football championship team, McGowan said. “And he was just very involved in the  school.”

A crisis team was on hand Thursday at Crete Public Schools, where Paulsen’s two younger siblings are still students, McGowan said.

A few miles away, at Farmland Foods, staff also felt the loss of Huynh, a longtime employee who worked on the loading dock. Huynh was driving home from his shift at Farmland when the accident occurred. 

“Mr. Huynh was a loyal and dedicated employee for many years,” said Troy Mulgrew, general manager of the Crete plant. “He was highly respected by his co-workers, and we will miss him.”

More information was not immediately available about Huynh.

Paulsen’s family set up a fund for a memorial scholarship Thursday. Donations can be made to the Nathan Paulsen Memorial Scholarship Fund at any Pinnacle Bank location.

Memorial arrangements were still pending Thursday afternoon.

Reach Cara Pesek at 473-7361 or cpesek@journalstar.com.  


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Classmates wrote on August 7, 2008 10:00 am:
" Nate was an all around good guy. Thoughts and prayers with his family and the other victims family. "

 CHS alum wrote on August 7, 2008 11:00 am:
" This is a very sad day. There are no words. THoughts go out to family and friends. "

 Classmate wrote on August 7, 2008 11:04 am:
" "Nate was a great guy, always nice to everyone. You will be missed more than words can say." "

 Barb Banks wrote on August 7, 2008 11:15 am:
" As Nate's 8th-grade science teacher, I agree with his classmates--He was a great person and a pleasure to teach. My heart aches for his family and friends and my prayers for God's comfort and peace are with them and with the Huynh family. "

 Tim wrote on August 7, 2008 11:19 am:
" You can be the best driver in the world and still be a fatality on the road. No family will ever get over losing a loved one. "

 Commuter wrote on August 7, 2008 11:34 am:
" Another tragic accident on that stetch of road. What's up...???? "

 Tiff wrote on August 7, 2008 11:47 am:
" God bless the family and loved ones of these two. "

 The Koch Family wrote on August 7, 2008 12:12 pm:
" Our thoughts and prayers are with the Paulsen family. "

 Crete High Grad wrote on August 7, 2008 12:35 pm:
" I don't know Nate personally but I know many young men who did. Only wonderful words were spoken about him. We are praying for all of Nates friends and mostly family. Only time will heal your broken hearts but remember you have the whole town thinking of you. "

 CHS student wrote on August 7, 2008 12:58 pm:
" Nate was a great athlete and a cool person to be around. Our thoughts and prayers are with the paulsen family. "

 Alumni wrote on August 7, 2008 2:12 pm:
" My thoughts and prayers are with Nate's family and friends during this difficult time. I didn't know Nate very well personally, but everyone always spoke so highly of him. I know many people are feeling a hole in their hearts today. "

 Friend wrote on August 7, 2008 2:18 pm:
" You will never be forgotten Nate! "

 just_me wrote on August 7, 2008 2:35 pm:
" Huynh Family - thoughts and prayers. "

 Seward Nebraska friends wrote on August 7, 2008 4:33 pm:
" so very sorry to hear of your loss Paulsmen family - as my Nate used to call your family. There are no words to say - you are surrounded in prayer as you deal with this tragedy. Symapthies also to the other family involved in this tragedy - our thoughts and prayers are also with you. "

 Jill Berg wrote on August 7, 2008 5:19 pm:
" Our thoughts and prayers are with the Paulsen family during this tragic time. "

 CHS ALUM wrote on August 7, 2008 7:14 pm:
" No words can ever convey the many caring thoughts and prayers that are with you in this most difficult time. As Tim said earlier, no family will ever get over losing the life of a loved one, especially in such a tragic accident and this is so true. Although, time does and will heal lean on friends and family to help you get through the difficult days ahead. He will always be with you! May God bring comfort and piece to all of the family and friends involved. "

 Rennx wrote on August 7, 2008 8:52 pm:
" Nathan will be missed by everyone he ever met because he touched them in such a special way. His smile and grin always melted my heart. He was a great friend to everyone in our family. We are praying for his family to get through these tough times. God...please keep Nate safe and comfort his family and friends in their time of need. "

 Debi wrote on August 7, 2008 9:09 pm:
" Nate had a way of making people fit in - an easy style of conversation that included everybody in the room. I can see his sweet face, his kind eyes, his happy little grin. He was a vital part of the group of friends who pulled each other into greatness. We must now take him with us in our hearts.

My thoughts and prayers are also with the Huyhn family for their terrible loss. "

 The Drevo family wrote on August 7, 2008 10:58 pm:
" Always remember the memories and wonderful times you had with Nate. We did not know Nate very well but I do know he was a sweet kind person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family. Lean on family and friends during this hard time and may God bless you. "

 Good Grief wrote on August 8, 2008 9:11 am:
" I find it very curious that everyone is commenting on how much they will miss Nate and hardly anyone is acknowledging Mr. Huynh.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Huynh. "

 Nicole Crete Alum wrote on August 8, 2008 9:50 am:
" My thoughts and prayers go out to both families. I didn't know Nate but I still have brothers who attend school with some of his siblings. This is such a tragic story and I know quite a few people whos lifes have been taken on this road. "

 Sad wrote on August 8, 2008 9:54 am:
" My condolences go out to both families for the loss of their loved one. "

 hellooooo wrote on August 8, 2008 10:28 am:
" Good Grief, nothing has been released on Mr. Huynh so how can anybody say anything. Even Farmland released only a blanket press release. I'm sure all who are grieving for Nate are also praying for Mr. Huynh and his family! Get a grip and stop trying to cause problems. "

 Emerson wrote on August 8, 2008 10:47 am:
" Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families and friends. They will both be missed by the people who they touched throughout their lives. Both today and in the days ahead lean on each other to help you through the difficult times ahead. Count each day you had with them as a blessing and pray God will help you heal over time. I agree the hurt will never go away but count each day you had with them as a blessing. You will continue to be in our families thoughts and prayers. "

 JSmall wrote on August 8, 2008 2:12 pm:
" Good Grief, you must have apparently not known Nathan, otherwise you would realize why so many people are commenting about him...Nate was such a good person, i had always got along with him and could always count on him cheering you up because he was constantly in a great mood...im going to miss seeing you buddy, especially your smile that stretched across your face everytime i saw you...Missed, Loved, but NEVER forgotten...Both Families and friends are constantly in my prayers.. "

 another Emerson friend wrote on August 8, 2008 5:49 pm:
" Our thoughts & prayers are with both families, both have experienced a great loss. There are no words to express our sympathy to all.

Since we knew Nate, his family & especially his extended family, it's no surprise so many kind words are left here to try to comfort them - they are a great group, good people. They were better people because of all of the wonderful friends they had in southeast Nebraska too. Our thoughts & prayers go out to all of you too. This loss touches each of us deeply.

God's blessings to the Paulsen's & Huynh's. "

 To All Families wrote on August 9, 2008 4:05 pm:
" Extended Sympathies go out to all families who are involved in this tragedy. As far as "Commuter & Good Griefs" comments, Crete is a community where everyone at least knows the name of people who have attended high school there. Commuter: Accidents happen on many roads, not just hwy 33. Yes, it is terrible another one did have to happen on this stretch of road. Good Grief: Keep reading, condolenses have also been extended to the Huynh family. Many of these comments have been made from young kids to the Paulsen family. It is such a tragedy that 2 people had to lose their lives in such an accident. That is why they are called "accidents." There is not blame to one driver or another. Instead of making negative comments, please let both families and friends know that your sincere sympathy is with them. This is not the time for negative comments!

May God bring the Huynh & Paulsen families comfort during this tragedy and in the many days to come. Cherish your memories and know your loved ones will always be with you. "

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