Deputy Injured in Accident

On January 24, 2021, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were working an injury accident at mile marker 166 Interstate 80 (two miles east of Hershey, NE.). A Deputy had positioned his vehicle in the passing lane of westbound traffic while a tow truck was loading the previously wrecked vehicle. The Deputy had all his emergency lights on and even an arrow bar directing traffic into the driving lane, away from the tow driver.

The Deputy was seated in his vehicle when a westbound vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed struck the Deputies patrol pickup. The driver of the vehicle was identified as thirty-eight year old Joseph Spearman Jr. of Fresno, California. The Nebraska State Patrol was called in to investigate the accident Mr. Spearman caused. It was revealed Mr. Spearman smelled of Marijuana and had an active warrant from California for Parole Violation. Mr. Spearman was treated and released for minor injuries at Great Plains Health and placed in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

The Deputy in this case was taken to Great Plains Health by another Deputy and treated for his injuries. The Deputy was later released. Drugs and icy roads appear to be a contributing factor in this case.