(Lincoln, NE)- A series of deadly crashes involving young drivers has the Nebraska State Patrol urging motorists to stay alert, buckle up and exercise caution as we head into the last month of the summer travel season.

Five Nebraska young people ranging in age from 17- 20 were killed in three separate crashes over the weekend.   In at least two of the crashes, seat belts were not in use.

In the early morning hours on Sunday, July 26, 2009, a 17 year-old Hemingford teen was killed when she lost control of the car she was driving.  The crash occurred three miles north of Alliance on Highway 385.  The vehicle rolled ejecting the driver.  She was not wearing a seat belt.   

Three young people from Gresham were killed and one person injured when the vehicle they were in collided with a train southeast of Waco just after 8:00 a.m., on Sunday, July 26, 2009.   The car was headed southbound on a county road when it was struck by a westbound train.   The car's driver was wearing a seat belt.  Law enforcement was unable to determine if the passengers were buckled up. 

A single vehicle crash just after 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2009, claimed the life of a 17 year-old Gordon teen.  He was a passenger in a pickup which was north bound on a county road when the driver lost control.  The teen was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected when the pickup rolled.  The driver, a 14 year-old girl also from Gordon was taken to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff for treatment of her injuries.

"The month of July has proven to be a deadly one on Nebraska roads," said Major Russ Stanczyk, Field Services Commander.  "We want everyone to enjoy these final days of the summer travel season.  Help make your travel safe by wearing your seat belt, obeying the posted speed limit and never driving impaired."

 19 people have been killed in motor vehicle crashes as of July 27, 2009.  That compares with 13 fatalities on this same date in 2008.   For the year there have been 108 fatalities as of today, compared with 113 in 2008.