Personal Injury Accident / Driving Under Suspension

DATE & TIME: 10-06-2021 @ 8:20 am

LOCATION: East Pickrell Road / South 96^th Road

OFFENSE: Personal Injury Accident / Driving Under Suspension

CASE #: 2021-4127

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a vehicle accident on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at approximately 8:48 am. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time the sheriff’s office was dispatched. Deputies and investigators were able to determine that 30-year-old Taylor Smith of Lincoln had been driving westbound on East Pickrell Road near South 96^th Road at approximately 8:20 am when his right tires went off the paved roadway, he over corrected to the left, and wound up driving off the roadway, rolling his 2003 Ford Focus and coming to a rest in a field on the south side of East Pickrell Road.

Investigators learned that Smith did not call to report the accident, but began walking toward work in Pickrell, was then picked up by an unidentified motorist who took him to Pickrell, but did not call the sheriff’s office to report the accident. When he arrived at work in Pickrell, fellow employees took him to Beatrice Community Hospital in Beatrice to be treated for his injuries.  Neither the employees, nor the hospital called the sheriff’s office to report the accident. The owner of the vehicle, however, called to report the accident as soon as he discovered his vehicle had been involved and deputies were able to make contact with Taylor Smith at Beatrice Community Hospital.

Smith was issued a criminal citation for driving under suspension. He was released after the citation was issued.

Neither speed or alcohol are considered to be a factor in the accident. The use of seatbelts is unknown, however both driver side and passenger side airbags deployed.

Taylor Smith stated he crawled out of the driver’s side window, could not locate his cellphone, and began walking toward Pickrell after the accident.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Sergeant T. Hanson #90310

Deputy M. Hager #9038