NEWS RELEASE
DATE & TIME: 3/23/26, 4:30 PM
LOCATION: S. 23rd Rd. /Hwy. 136
OFFENSE: Fatality Accident
CASE# : 2026-1223
DETAILS:
On Monday March 23, 2026 at 4:39 PM Gage County Sheriff’s Deputies, Beatrice Fire and Rescue, and Beatrice Rural Fire were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on S. 23rd Rd. about a 1/2 mile south of Hwy. 136. Upon arrival, a 2022 Jeep Wagoneer was found fully engulfed in flames.
The fire was extinguished and a female occupant was located inside the vehicle. The female was deceased and has been identified as Chole Paulson, age 16 of Sterling. The investigation determined that the vehicle had been traveling southbound on S. 23rd Rd. at which point it left the road and collided with a tree, which then resulted in the vehicle catching fire. The incident remains under investigation.
Investigator Matthew Ernst, #90315
Deputy Rob Sandersfeld, #9035
Deputy Jacob Beville, #9035
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson, #903