Jeff Beiermann, an award-winning photographer for The World-Herald, is expected to survive the multiple internal injuries he sustained Sunday night when his car was struck by a stolen SUV at the intersection of Cuming Street and Saddle Creek Road.
Beiermann, 48, was driving west on Cuming at about 9:30 p.m. Then, a speeding Lincoln Navigator traveling north on Saddle Creek ran through a light and struck Beiermann’s Ford Focus, police said.
The driver of the Navigator fled the scene, but later was found walking east on Cuming.
Police said a passenger in the Navigator, a 20-year-old Council Bluffs woman, was walking with him.
Beiermann remained in critical condition Monday.
“Jeff’s a great person, and his photographs speak for themselves. The newspaper misses his presence and we wish him a speedy recovery,” said Jeff Bundy, The World-Herald’s director of photography.
Police arrested Jonathan W. Adams, 23, on suspicion of leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, theft by receiving, willful reckless driving and driving under suspension. The woman was arrested on suspicion of theft by receiving.
It isn’t the first time Adams has been in legal trouble.
Adams served four years in prison in connection with the 2004 death of a 23-year-old Omaha man. Adams pleaded guilty to felony willful injury causing serious injury.
Hedges Harris was beaten by three men at a party in Council Bluffs, then fell down a flight of stairs, hitting his head and dying at the scene.
Adams initially was charged with first-degree murder. He and another man were sentenced on the willful injury charge. A third man was sentenced to prison for conspiracy to commit willful injury.
Adams had two misdemeanor warrants issued for him after failing to show up in court in late 2010 for two separate driving citations – one in Omaha, the other in Bellevue.
The suspected driver also has an extensive record of traffic violations and currently is facing charges of assault causing bodily harm in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
Beiermann joined the World-Herald in 1994. A native of Clarkson Neb., he started his photojournalism career at the Fremont Tribune. After leaving the Tribune, he freelanced for The Associated Press.
He has documented numerous historical events for The World-Herald, including Husker national championships, presidential visits and Nebraskans at Guantanamo Bay.
Beiermann’s family and colleagues voiced gratitude Monday that he had survived the crash.
“We’re so glad and grateful that Jeff is alive,” World-Herald Executive Editor Mike Reilly said.
“He’s a great colleague. He’s part of our newsroom family. Jeff’s got a great eye and passion for the slice of life photos and stories from rural Nebraska. He’s a wonderful photojournalist, just an enormous asset to our staff.”
Beiermann’s wife, World-Herald staff writer Julie Anderson, said she was heartened her husband was able to respond to her questions.
“He’s stable. He is expected to recover,” she said.
“There will be a bit of a road ahead after they finish putting him back together. We are so, so appreciative of all the thoughts and good wishes and prayers.”
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