Merrick County Sheriff's Office, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
MERRICK CO. — On Monday, Aug. 26, at approximately 7:32 p.m., a Merrick County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a blue Chevrolet pickup without any license plates and traveling at an accelerated speed while traveling eastbound on Highway 30 approaching 4th Road.
The vehicle crossed the center line of the roadway traveling in the westbound lane forcing oncoming vehicles off the roadway. The Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle and the driver began to flee in a reckless manner in an attempt to evade contact with law enforcement.
The vehicle traveled through rural Merrick County at speeds between 60 and 90 miles per hour and after a failed attempt to turn south on St. Paul Road from Chapman Road, the vehicle entered the southwest ditch and became inoperable. The vehicle was also determined to be stolen from Hall County.
The driver fled on foot from the vehicle wearing a motorcycle helmet and dark colored clothing and entered a cornfield.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the location and a perimeter of the immediate area was established. During this time, a Merrick County Deputy located the suspect in a field and attempted to apprehend the suspect on foot.
The Deputy fell down an embankment and sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries. The Deputy was transported by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island and later transported to a trauma facility in Omaha.
The suspect fled the area, and an investigation is active at this time. A collaborative effort of agencies and investigators have diligently assisted in the identification of the suspect. We believe that the suspect will be apprehended expeditiously.
The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to have received assistance from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Nance County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Island Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Air and Drone Support, Central Nebraska Special Response Team, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
