Todd Meneely Accident, Man, 42, Of Omaha Mourned
Todd Meneely, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, died Jan. 6, 2026, from injuries sustained in a car accident the previous day, local authorities and community members confirmed. Meneely’s passing has sent waves of grief through Omaha and the wider wrestling community, where he was known as a champion athlete, dedicated coach and beloved mentor.
According to the Omaha Police Department, officers responded shortly after 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, to a crash near Meadow Drive and 91st Avenue involving a westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee that left the roadway and struck a light pole and tree. First responders performed CPR on the driver — identified as Meneely — before he was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. He later died from those injuries on Monday. The crash remains under investigation.
Todd Meneely Obituary 0 Death
Key facts confirmed
- Name: Todd Meneely
- Age: 42
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska
- Date of death: Jan. 6, 2026
- Cause of death: Complications from injuries sustained in a car accident on Jan. 5, 2026
Born July 25, 1983, Meneely grew up in Omaha and became a standout wrestler at V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic High School. He went on to compete collegiately for the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks, where he was a three‑time NCAA Division II national champion and earned hall‑of‑fame recognition for his achievements on the mat. His wrestling résumé also included honors such as the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award and later induction into the Division II and NSWCA halls of fame.
Meneely’s impact extended well beyond competitive sport. After his collegiate career, he dedicated much of his life to coaching and mentoring young athletes. He served as an assistant coach at UNO and worked with wrestling programs throughout Nebraska, sharing his passion for the sport and helping shape future generations of competitors. Former students and colleagues recall Meneely as a tireless supporter of his athletes, a generous mentor and a figure deeply committed to building community through sport.
“It wasn’t just his achievements that defined Todd,” one community member said in an online remembrance. “It was his willingness to give back, to guide and to be there for others. He lived his life with heart and integrity.”
Meneely is survived by his partner and his children, including his sons, whose names have been shared in tributes from friends and family. As news of his death spread, messages of sympathy and support poured in from across the state and the national wrestling community, reflecting the deep respect in which he was held.
Funeral arrangements and memorial service details are expected to be announced by the family. In the meantime, those who knew Meneely continue to remember him for both his athletic excellence and the personal bonds he formed throughout his life.