BEATRICE – One person was taken to a Lincoln hospital from an accident south of Cortland Friday, where a vehicle crossed over the median of U.S. Highway 77.

Gage County Sheriff’s deputies say a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by 37-year-old Valerie Jinright, of Beatrice, was northbound on the highway when her vehicle hydroplaned on wet pavement.  The S-U-V spun across the paved median into southbound traffic, where it collided with a 2022 Dodge Ram Truck driven by 56-year-old Michael Ferm, of Winter Springs, Florida.

Damage to trailer in highway accident
Damage to trailer in highway accident  

Jinright was taken by ambulance to Bryan West Health Center in Lincoln for neck and shoulder pain.  Ferm was not injured.  Both drivers were using safety restraints at the time of the collision, just before 4 p.m., Friday.

The collision happened near the U.S. Highway 77—Nebraska Highway 41 west junction, about 14 miles north of Beatrice.

Cortland and Clatonia Rescue and fire personnel responded to the scene.