Man charged in deputy's death

COLUMBUS — A semitrailer truck driver has been charged with misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in connection with a crash that killed a Platte County sheriff's deputy last August.

A special prosecutor filed the charge against Gene Schlake of Beatrice this week.

The Nebraska State Patrol has said that the deputy, Christopher Johnson of Columbus, was on the way to a crash on Nebraska Highway 91 when his vehicle collided with the oncoming semi, which was making a left turn.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Schlake's attorney, Erin Duggan Pemberton, said Schlake maintains that there was no oncoming traffic when he began to turn and that the deputy reached the crest of the hill after he was already turning.

Schlake is scheduled to appear in court on March 24.

— AP

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