BEATRICE – A collision of two vehicles at the crest of a rural road south of Beatrice, injured two people, one of them seriously.

Gage County Sheriff’s officers said the accident happened Monday morning at around 8:15….along West Lilac Road…..just west of U.S. Highway 77.

Deputies say an eastbound 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 47-year-old Rachael Bauman, of rural Beatrice…and a westbound 2008 Chevrolet Impala driven by 19-year-old Toby Kotinek, of Lawrence, Nebraska….collided at the crest of a hill.

Kotinek was airlifted by a medical helicopter to Bryan West Health Center in Lincoln, with non-life-threatening injuries.   Bauman was treated and released, at the scene.  Deputies said Kotinek had to be extricated from his vehicle by Beatrice Fire and Rescue crew members.   There was airbag deployment in both vehicles.   Bauman was wearing a seat belt, but Kotinek was not. 

Also responding to the scene were Beatrice Rural Fire and the Gage County Highway Department.