Multiple Bystanders Rescue Sheriff’s Deputy After Accident

SCOTTSBLUFF- Multiple bystanders are believed to have saved the life of a Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Deputy when his patrol vehicle was involved in a crash on the Heartland Expressway in Scottsbluff.

The incident occurred Monday morning when the deputy was involved in a single-vehicle crash. A preliminary investigation shows that the deputy suffered a medical incident while driving his marked patrol vehicle on Highway 71, south of the Highway 26 junction. The vehicle then left the roadway and struck an embankment causing the vehicle to catch fire. Multiple witnesses saw the incident and rushed to assist the deputy. The deputy was unconscious when the witnesses arrived at the scene. They were able to extract the deputy from the vehicle and pull him to safety, away from the vehicle and fire. The deputy, identified the deputy as 39-year-old Josh Ruzicka, of Gering, was transported to Regional West Medical Center, where he is alert and in good condition.

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the crash.