Accident - Injuries

DATE & TIME: 05/03/2023 @ 2337 hours                               

LOCATION: US HWY 77 / Lilac Road                                    

OFFENSE: Accident - Injuries                          

CASE #: 2023-2064                             

On 05/03/2023, at approximately 2337 hours, a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to make a motorist assist on a vehicle near US HWY 77 and Lilac Road. When the deputy attempted to notify Southeast Communications of the motorist assist, the deputy was notified of an accident being called in at this same location. The deputy then realized that a white Chevrolet Blazer was laying in the shoulder to the east of US HWY 77. This accident was called in by family members of the driver of the Chevrolet Blazer who was able to make a call to his family regarding his accident.

The accident investigation revealed that the Chevrolet Blazer was driven by 67-year-old, John R. Houseman from Beatrice, NE. This Chevrolet Blazer was traveling northbound on US HWY 77 just north of Lilac Road when the Chevrolet Blazer ran off the roadway and collided into the cable guard rail on the east side of US HWY 77. The Chevrolet Blazer went through the cable guard rail and overturned before coming to rest in the steep shoulder/ditch of US HWY 77. Beatrice Fire & Rescue and Beatrice Rural Fire were dispatched to the accident to attend to the driver’s potential injuries. Houseman was transported to the Beatrice Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. StarCare life flight were on stand-by but were not deployed.

Speed is not believed to be a factor in this accident.

Alcohol use is undetermined to be a factor but it is still under investigation.

Safety restraints were utilized in this accident. Air bags were not deployed.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Deputy Sheriff Juracek #9039

Sgt. Patsch #9033