Crash Alert: Man accused of causing deadly crash in Jefferson to go to trial
JEFFERSON, NE – According to WOWT, the man charged with motor vehicle homicide and DUI, causing bodily injury, for a fatal crash near North 168th Street and Pawnee Road will go to trial.
On Sunday, February 18, at around 1:00 a.m., 35-year-old Joshua Kuhl was driving a 2023 Chevy Silverado north on North 168th Street when he ran a stop sign and entered the intersection with Pawnee Road (State Highway 36). Moments later, the Chevy collided with a westbound 2020 Subaru Outback.
Rescue crews transported three people from the Subaru to an area hospital, where one person, Gary Smith, 69, died. Officials said the two other victims suffered major injuries.
At the scene, deputies detected an odor of alcohol on Kuhl’s breath and observed his “watery and bloodshot eyes,” prompting them to conduct a field sobriety test. A breathalyzer reading showed Kuhl’s BAC (blood alcohol content) to be at .192, more than twice above the legal limit. At the sheriff’s office, an evidentiary reading showed his BAC to be at .171.
Deputies later learned that he has had two prior DUI convictions.
Kuhl, who had a preliminary hearing in Douglas County scheduled for the following Friday, February 23, filed paperwork to waive his right to that hearing. The action automatically sent his case to trial at the Douglas County District Court.
At the time of WOWT’s report, Kuhl’s bond was set at $1 million.
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