UPDATE Two Vehicle Injury Accident

DATE: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 UPDATE

LOCATION: US Highway 77 / Diamond T Truck Plaza

TIME: 15:30 hours

OFFENSE: UPDATE Two Vehicle Injury Accident

CASE: 2022-0215

Two people injured in a two-vehicle accident on US Hwy 77 near the Dimond T Truck

Plaza Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 15:30 hours, Gage County Sheriff’s

Deputies, along with Beatrice Fire, Beatrice Rural Fire, and Pickrell Quick Response Team

were dispatched to a two-vehicle injury accident on US Highway 77 at the south entrance

of the Diamond T Truck Plaza. Nebraska Department of Roads, Highway Maintenance

Supervisor, James Lanningan also responded, assisting in traffic control.

The accident investigation revealed, a Red 1997 Dodge Ram Pickup driven by Lorenz

Trauernicht (83) of Pickrell, while leaving the truck plaza, stopping at Highway 77 then

proceeded to turn north, failing to yield to a northbound maroon 2008 Hyundai Sonata,

driven by Jennifer Vanek (40) of Beatrice. The vehicles collided in the northbound driving

lane, both coming to rest on the east shoulder.

Mr. Trauernicht reported no injuries while Ms. Vanek and her 14-year-old passenger also

of Beatrice were transported to the Emergency Department at the Bryan West Campus,

with non-life-threatening injuries. Mr. Trauernicht was cited for Failure to Yield.

Restraints in use in both vehicles. Driver’s side airbags deployed in both vehicles. Neither

alcohol nor drugs are believed to have been a factor in the accident.

Sheriff Millard W. Gustafson #903

Deputy Rob Sandersfeld #9032