OCTOBER 4, 2023 (ALLIANCE, NEB.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a crash
that resulted in three fatalities Tuesday in Box Butte County.
At approximately 9:45 a.m. MT Tuesday, NSP and the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office were
notified of a two-vehicle crash that had occurred on Highway 2, several miles east of Alliance.
Upon arrival, responders found that three occupants of one of the vehicles were deceased.
Preliminary investigation shows that a Subaru Outback, driven by Julie Sears, 57, of Santa Rosa,
California, was westbound on Highway 2. A semi tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound.
Investigators believe the Subaru crossed the center line and struck the semi.
Julie Sears, along with Gary Sears, 82, and Joan Sears, 79, both of Hyannis, Nebraska, were
pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the semi, Erich Rumple, 37, of Spencer,
Nebraska, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.
NSP and the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office were assisted on scene by the Alliance Police
Department and the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department.
The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction. The investigation remains
ongoing.
