Fatality Accident Approximately 1/3 of a Mile West of SW 131st Road on West Highway 136

DATE:  01/16/2010 at 1128 Hours     

LOCATION:  Approximately 1/3 of a mile west  of SW 131st Road on W Highway 136

OFFENSE:  Single vehicle fatality accident

CASE:  2010-0207

On January 16, 2010 at approximately 1128 hours, the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, Beatrice Fire and Rescue, Beatrice Rural Fire, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle rollover accident on Highway 136 approximately one third of a mile west of SW 131st Road.  

A blue 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by 40 year old James A Curtis of Fairbury, was traveling east on Highway 136 just west of SW 131st Road.  The Explorer was in the westbound lane of traffic because it was passing a vehicle in the eastbound lane of traffic.  Curtis swerved to the right to avoid oncoming traffic, over-corrected to the left, causing his vehicle to slide sideways.  Curtis’ vehicle rolled over two and a half times, ejected Curtis, and came to rest on its top on the south shoulder of Highway 136.  Seatbelts were not in use and alcohol is not suspected as a factor of the accident.

Curtis was transported to Beatrice Community Hospital for life-threatening injuries.  Curtis died shortly after arriving at the Hospital.
 
Deputy Byelick # 90315

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903