Patient Killed, NE Firefighters Injured in Ambulance Crash

Dec. 23, 2023
Sheriff's officials said three Gretna firefighters were injured when a pickup turned in front of the ambulance and the patient died in the crash.

A collision between a pickup and a Gretna ambulance left a woman dead, a driver critical and three firefighters injured.

The Gretna Fire and Rescue ambulance was driving with lights and sirens when a pickup turned left in front of the rig near around 10:15 a.m. in Elkhorn, Douglas County Sheriff’s Capt. Rich Lally told The World-Herald. A minivan was also involved in the crash.

Officials said the patient, Debra Bookhouser, 72, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup suffered serious head injuries, Omaha fire officials told KETV.com.

According to police, Fire Chief Rodney Buethe, who was driving the ambulance, suffered minor injuries, and was treated at the scene.

Assistant Fire Chief Nicholas Pierce and firefighter David Harrig were also injured and transported to area hospitals. They were later released.

 

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