Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

DATE & TIME: 07-03-2023 / 8:16 am

LOCATION: Filley to Beatrice, Nebraska          

OFFENSE: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol   

CASE #: 2023-3218

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office received reports from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and some drivers in Gage County of a vehicle that was all over the road and, at times, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, heading eastbound from Filley towards Beatrice.

An investigator from the sheriff’s office was able to locate the vehicle as it entered the Beatrice City limits and turned around to follow it.  Within a few blocks the vehicle struck the curb near 19^th and Court, then careened over across the yellow dividing line near Family Fare Supermarket. The vehicle then made a sharp right and stopped across the sidewalk a block west of 19^th and Court.

The investigator pulled in behind the vehicle and activated the emergency lights on his county car. As the investigator stepped out of the vehicle the driver of the suspect vehicle backed up and struck the front end of the county car.

The investigator made contact with the driver, 30-year-old Erica Beethe of Tecumseh, and noticed she appeared impaired. Another investigator from the sheriff’s office, who is also certified as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) was called to the scene and an investigation for driving under the influence was initiated resulting in the arrest of Beethe.

She was taken to the Gage County Detention Center and booked into jail for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. The Beatrice Police Department was requested to conduct the accident investigation. No injuries were reported.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Sergeant T. Hanson #90310

Investigator M. Ernst #90315

Deputy S. Behrens #90317