Car Collision with Side-by-Side

DATE & TIME: 05/19/2022 at 1654 hours       

LOCATION: 2226 W Pickrell Rd. Pickrell, NE     

OFFENSE: Car Collision with Side-by-Side         

CASE #: 2022-2317               

On 05/19/2022 at 1654 hours, Pickrell Fire and Rescue, Beatrice Rescue, and the Gage County Sheriff Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle injury accident at 2226 W Pickrell Rd. Pickrell, NE.

Alex Fehringer witnessed the event and, advised Southeast Communications that an SUV had struck a John Deer side-by-side in front of the residence. The side-by-side was driven by Loren Huls (73) who lives at the residence. The “SUV” was a Black 2018 Ford Explorer driven by Rebecca Hagemeier (36) of Pickrell, NE. Rebecca had her 5-year-old daughter in the rear passenger seat.  

Alex Fehringer, had seen Loren laying in the middle of the road, not moving, and provided immediate aid. Loren’s wife, Mary Huls, came out from their residence, and also provided immediate aid. The two of them stabilized the head, and neck area of Loren. Deputy Kallen Nissen #9037 arrived on scene, and noticed Loren had excessive bleeding from his left arm, coming from the wrist, and hand area. Deputy Nissen #9037 immediately applied a Combat Action Tourniquet (CAT) to Loren’s left arm to cease the bleeding. Deputy Rob Sandersfeld #9032 arrived on scene, and provided traffic control for the accident. Pickrell Fire and Rescue along with Beatrice Rescue arrived on scene, and provided the necessary lifesaving procedures. The MED helicopter, StarCare, was notified of the accident, and arrived on scene at 1720 hours. Loren was moved from the road to the helicopter, and transported to Bryan West in Lincoln at 1730 hours.

An investigation at the scene indicated the Black Ford explorer driven by Rebecca Hagemeier, and the John Deer side-by-side driven by Loren Huls were both traveling eastbound on Pickrell Rd. The side-by-side slowed down to turn into the driveway. Rebecca did not observe a turn signal from the side-by-side, and attempted to pass on the left. At the same point Rebecca went to pass, Loren began to turn into the residence at 2226 Pickrell Rd. Rebecca applied her brakes, and swerved back into the eastbound lane. The front driver’s side of Rebecca’s Ford explorer made contact with the rear end of Loren’s side-by-side. Loren appeared to have been immediately ejected onto the roadway. After striking the rear end of the side-by-side, Rebecca lost control of her vehicle, and entered the southside ditch. Loren’s side-by-side came to a rest in the northside ditch.

Loren was treated at the scene with life threatening injuries. Rebecca and her 5-year-old daughter had minor injuries, and refused medical treatment.

Vehicle restraints were used by Rebecca, and her daughter was restrained in proper child’s car seat. Restraints were not used in the side-by-side. Air bags were deployed in Rebecca’s vehicle. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor.

This investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Deputy Kallen Nissen #9037

Deputy Rob Sandersfeld #9032