BEATRICE, NE — A 19-year-old Kansas man was killed late Sunday night in a single-vehicle, high-speed accident in Gage County, Nebraska.
The Gage County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Joseph Korber of Bern, Kansas. Korber died at the scene of the crash, which occurred around 11:30 p.m. about a mile west of Beatrice, just west of the intersection of West Scott and Southwest 61st Road.
Investigators report that Korber was driving a vehicle with four occupants eastward on Scott Road at a speed authorities estimate was at least 100 miles-per-hour. The driver lost control, causing the vehicle to roll several times.
While Korber was pronounced dead at the scene, the three passengers sustained various injuries. One passenger was transported by ambulance to Bryan West Health Center in Lincoln with life-threatening injuries. The other two passengers were taken to Beatrice Community Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Sheriff’s Office indicated that both excessive speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the fatal crash. Authorities noted that all occupants of the vehicle were utilizing safety restraints. Beatrice Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, and the Nebraska State Patrol is assisting with accident reconstruction.
