Former Superior Resident Survives Interstate Pileup

Jared Dressman recounts his harrowing experience assisting first responders during a multi-vehicle crash on I-80 near Greenwood, Nebraska.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:00am

Jared Dressman, a former Superior, Nebraska resident and current Cass County EMS employee, was caught in the middle of a massive multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 80 near Greenwood, Nebraska on Sunday. Dressman, who was returning home to Omaha from a conference, stopped to assist Greenwood Fire & Rescue at the initial two-vehicle collision scene. As more vehicles lost control in the blinding snow and high winds, Dressman and the first responders narrowly avoided being struck themselves before taking shelter in the Greenwood ambulance. Multiple fire and rescue departments from surrounding counties responded to the chaotic scene, working to transport injured victims and clear the wreckage.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers that first responders face when attending to accidents on major highways, especially in severe winter weather conditions. Dressman's firsthand account provides valuable insight into the challenges and quick thinking required to safely navigate a multi-vehicle pileup. The story also underscores the importance of heeding safety advice, such as remaining in one's vehicle during a pileup to avoid further collisions.

The details

Dressman, who was returning home to Omaha from a conference in Kearney, came upon the initial two-vehicle collision on I-80 near the Greenwood exit and stopped to assist. Greenwood Fire & Rescue soon arrived on the scene, with the fire engine parked behind Dressman's SUV and the ambulance positioned ahead of the crashed vehicles. As the crew was working the scene, high winds and blowing snow quickly created whiteout conditions, causing more vehicles to lose control and crash into the growing pileup. Dressman and the first responders were able to take shelter in the Greenwood ambulance just before additional collisions occurred. Multiple fire and rescue departments from surrounding counties, including Ashland, Waverly, Southeast, Ceresco, Eagle, Elmwood, Louisville and Gretna, responded to the incident with personnel, apparatus, and over 10 ambulances. Dressman, who is a PRN Cass County EMS employee, assisted Greenwood Rescue in transporting several injured victims to a nearby gas station that was used as a makeshift warming center.

  • On Sunday evening, March 16, 2026, Dressman encountered the initial two-vehicle collision on I-80 near Greenwood, Nebraska.
  • As Dressman and the Greenwood first responders were working the scene, the wind picked up and blowing snow quickly created whiteout conditions.

The players

Jared Dressman

A former Superior, Nebraska resident and current Cass County EMS employee who was caught in the middle of the multi-vehicle pileup on I-80 while returning home to Omaha from a conference.

Greenwood Fire & Rescue

The first responders who arrived on the scene of the initial two-vehicle collision and worked to assist victims and clear the growing pileup.

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What they’re saying

“Today was the closest call I've had so far in my career. Greenwood Fire & Rescue and I may have used up one of our nine lives.”

— Jared Dressman

What’s next

Dressman plans to go to church and buy a lottery ticket this week, grateful to have survived the harrowing experience.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers first responders face when attending to accidents on major highways, especially in severe winter weather. Dressman's firsthand account highlights the importance of heeding safety advice, such as remaining in one's vehicle during a pileup to avoid further collisions.