DATE & TIME: 05-08-2026 at 2219 Hrs.
LOCATION: BCH and HWY 77 and W Hickory
OFFENSE: INJURY ACCIDENT
CASE #: 2026-1957
DETAILS:
On 05-08-26 at approximately 2219 Hrs. the Gage County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Beatrice Community Hospital (BCH) for a person that had arrived at the emergency room and had stated that they had been involved in an accident. A deputy met the person; 21-year-old Bryden Cole of Itasca Texas; at that location Mr. Cole indicated that he had been traveling on a gravel road and had come to a stop sign at a T intersection. He failed to stop for the sign and had an accident. He indicated that he had walked to the hospital from the scene and that there was no one else in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
At approximately 0157 Hrs. the accident site was located at the intersection of W Hickory Rd. and Hwy 77. An investigation made at the scene indicated that Mr. Cole had been driving eastbound on Hickory Rd in a black 2019 Dodge Ram pickup truck. When he approached the Hwy 77 intersection, the vehicle continued eastbound without stopping, crossed all four lanes of travel, left the roadway and collided with a small tree. The vehicle then became airborne. It then impacted the ground in a depression; causing extensive damage to the vehicle. It then came to rest in the depression.
Occupant restraints are not believed to have been in use. There was airbag deployment. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs use were a factor. The investigation into the incident continues.
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson
Deputy John Patsch 9033