UPDATE 1/9/2023
A Saunders County Deputy was seriously injured after a car crash Friday night in Saunders County. On Monday afternoon the sheriff's office provided an update on the condition of the deputy and the suspect who were involved in the crash.
According to the Saunders County Sheriff's Office:
On Jan. 6 around 10 p.m., a deputy with the Saunders County Sheriff’s Office attempted to initiate a traffic stop of a vehicle that was speeding on Hwy 79 near County Road N.
The suspect vehicle immediately turned onto County Road N and proceeded eastbound at a high rate of speed and a pursuit was initiated.
The deputy lost visual contact with the suspect vehicle which had lost control and rolled into a field. The Deputy then lost control and ended up in a creek when the cruiser caught fire and was engulfed in flames.
The suspect, Dustin A. Hayes, 26, of Prague, Neb. sustained minor injuries and was taken into custody and transported to Saunders County Corrections after medical clearance.
The deputy sustained serious injuries and was treated at Saunders Medical Center and later transferred to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha for observation.
The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating both accidents.
Deputy Dominic Leuck was released from the hospital on Saturday, Jan. 7 and sustained injuries including a fractured rib, torn ligament in his ankle, a fractured cheekbone, bruising of his lungs, a concussion, bruises, and lacerations. He is on the road to recovery and appreciates the support from everyone.
The suspect, Hayes was ultimately cited with flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving during revocation, possession of marijuana less than an ounce, and speeding.
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