Two Vehicle Injury Accident on US Highway 77 & Hackberry Road

DATE & TIME: December 8, 2016 @ 2000 Hours     

LOCATION: US Highway 77 and Hackberry Road                                    

OFFENSE: Two Vehicle Injury Accident                

CASE #: 2016-6647              

On December 8, 2016 at approximately 2000 hours, the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, Beatrice Fire and Rescue and Beatrice Rural Fire responded to US Highway 77 and Hackberry Road in reference to a two vehicle injury accident.

The investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Blazer driven by 38 year old Dennis Prokopec of rural Pickrell, Nebraska was exiting the truck stop parking lot to turn south onto US Highway 77. The Blazer failed to yield to a Mini-Cooper which was traveling northbound on US Highway 77, driven by 37 year old Matthew York of Firth, Nebraska. The Mini-Cooper collided with the driver’s side of the Blazer.

The driver of the Mini-Cooper was treated for his injuries at the scene and was not transported to any hospitals. The two passengers in the Mini-Cooper were transported to the Beatrice Community Hospital for medical treatment. None of the injuries sustained during the accident were life threatening.   

US Highway 77 between Hackberry and Elm Road was closed for approximately 20 minutes while the investigation was completed. Airbags deployed in the Mini-Cooper but not in the Blazer. Seat belt use is unknown at this time.

The driver of the Blazer, Dennis Prokopec was arrested and transported to the Gage County Detention Center for Driving under the Influence and for Failure to Yield. Alcohol use is considered to be a possible factor in the accident.

The Nebraska State Patrol investigated the accident and the Gage County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the Driving under the Influence portion of the accident.    

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Sergeant Brandon C. Schley #9035