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Papillion Man Critically Injured In Crash Save Email Print
Gretna man arrested for drunk driving
Posted: 4:44 PM Oct 11, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:20 PM Oct 16, 2008
 Reporter: WOWT
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
52 comments
A | A | A

A Papillion man was hospitalized in critical condition after a suspected drunk driver crashed into his pickup south of Springfield Saturday morning.

Fifty-six-year-old Dennis Smith's pickup was hit by an SUV just after 8 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 31.

Smith was pinned in his truck for some time until firefighters could free him using the Jaws of Life. He was taken by helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center.

The driver of the SUV, 20-year-old Erik Hughes of Gretna, was arrested for drunk driving. His passenger, 19-year-old Matt Noah also of Gretna, was arrested for minor in possession.

Noah was treated for minor injuries.
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Posted by: perhaps on Oct 19, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Yes Erik was drinking the night before, and then he tried to sleep it off. Which does not work. Once you are drunk, you are drunk for quite awhile. This is a horrible tragedy. WHY do our young find drinking to the point of getting drunk, to be so entertaining? And now this fine man is gone, and the pain of HOW he left this world (too soon) will never fade for the family left behind. And the pain & regret will ruin this young man's life. TEENS & ADULTS, do NOT drink SO much. Do not drink & drive AT ALL. If perhaps there was zero tolerance for any degree of alcohol while driving at any age, we might stop this from happening over & over again. Till then, this will repeat itself daily. I will keep all involved in my prayers. And to those who dump on Hughes' parents, that is just too much.
Posted by: grandma on Oct 18, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Thank you Jade you were grandpa's little Ruby.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 17, 2008 at 05:26 PM
To anonymous @ 10/15 - I believe this is more about Erik's judgment than his integrity.
Posted by: sara on Oct 16, 2008 at 05:29 PM
To anonymous @12:28 oct 14. Im sorry about my comment. till now I didnt even think that maybe you could have known Denny. It has been so emotional. I hope you accept my apologie.
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 15, 2008 at 07:02 PM
I am sorry for the families loss. I am also very confident that Erik with suffer for his mistake. I think it is very uncalled for to write such hateful things about him. I have know Erik the better half of my life, and I am very disappointed in his actions but it does not change the fact that he is an amazing person. I pray for everyone involved in this accident and pray that forgiveness will one day come to the family. Erik will have to pay for his mistake in jail time and regret. Must we also question his integrity. You can hate what he did but please find it in your heart to one day try and forgive. I have also lost a family member in an alcohol related accident and it was easy at first to blame the other driver, but in the end the only way I could ever find closure was in forgiveness. All I ask is to ask yourself how many times could you have had made this horrible mistake? with or without alcohol?
Posted by: Aaron on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Dennis, is the 2008 Nebraska State High-power Rifle Champion. He was on his way to the range when this happened. Always a tough competitor, I will cherish the memories of shooting with Denny, and the few times I bested his score. I will also miss my friend. May gods peace find it's way into our hearts.
Posted by: sara- step daughter on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:31 AM
To anonymouse @12:28 oct 14. If you cannot reveil yourself you do not need to know. please if anyone has any info please do not give it out unless you talk to one of our family members first.
Posted by: Jeff WebDog Weber on Oct 14, 2008 at 07:38 PM
As a good friend of the Smith family, the we are praying for Dennis and his family, and are sad to hear this news. We adore the Smiths.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Does anyone know how Dennis is doing?
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 12:55 AM
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15) My prayers go out to Denny and his family. Erik made a huge mistake. He now has to live with that decision for the rest of his life. It's sad how such a common act of adults can lead to such horrible consequences. Hopefully more people will learn from his mistake and choose not to drink and drive. DUI's are the second highest arrest in the United Staes... it's not uncommon for people to drink and drive. Something needs to be done so that incidents like this do not happen.
Posted by: R on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:12 PM
i will say one thing. i do know erik personally. but that doesnt cloud my judgement. he made a mistake but thats not the point. the point is whether ur drunk, sober, or high you still have a brain in your head. use it! he may be kind hearted and a good person but that doesnt mean he should get away with what he has done. people were saying the same things when matt robinson went through his ordeal. thats not an excuse people! wake up! just because he didnt mean to or because he is a good person doesnt mean he shouldnt be punished. thats like saying someone could go out and shoot someone and say "i didnt mean to" but because he/she may be a good person and kind hearted they shouldnt be punished. yeah right..something needs to be done. yeah this will probably happen again but i still think you have to start punishing them with a little more force and quit giving them just the slap on the wrist. comments back on this view would be appreciated.
Posted by: Jade on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Dear My Family- I'm not at the hospital, I definitely would be if I was older. I love you all!! T.J., Mommy, and I are praying for you guys and grandpa.
Posted by: Kay on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Nancy, Mel, TJ and family - our prayers and thoughts are with you constantly. To Erik - you made the decision to drink and drive. You have seriously damaged not only a good man, but a wonderful family. I hope the courts will punish you for what you have done. Drinking and driving is never an option - but a choice, and you made the wrong one.
Posted by: Mary on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I think that at the very least, Erik should have to sit in the hospital in cuffs and shackles. He should have to sit outside the door of Denny's room and see the results of his actions. He should feel the family's pain and stress and see how Denny is still fighting for his life. He should have to sit there and let people know that he is the one responsible for this senselessness. He did something incredibly stupid and illegal. Drinking and driving and underage drinking. And for him to get off without injury is very unfair. He should have to pay for his actions. I don't care how smart you think he was in high school, it obviously didn't carry over into his life after high school. Grow up and accept the consequences for your actions.
Posted by: Only Good can Judge on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I don't know either of the two but I pray for both families. I don't believe the parents are responsible for his action. We all make our own choices. This happend to be one of Eriks. Alot of us go to church on Sundays and listen while your pastor, priest ect. and we listen to their words but I guess none of us take it serious. He will have to live with this for the rest of his life and for everyone to put him down makes no sense he needs prayer he needs help. I have know a women I used to work with who's son was the first to be hijacked in omaha she said something that has always stuck with me she does not hate the kids who have taken her son away from her but pray for the everyday because they have also last their lives. We need to remember why we show up for church on saturdays or sundays do we do it for show or because that is what is right or do we actually listen to what is being said. GOD CAN ONLY JUDGE in the end. My prayers are for both families
Posted by: Jesus on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:29 PM
"May he who is without sin cast the first stone." Justice will be served in a fair and balanced judicial system, not in social slander.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I don't care how smart he might have been in high school, he obviously drank (and/or smoked) himself stupid in the last two years. It's hard to accept that someone you know can do such an awful thing, but he did and you need to accept the horror of it. It is YOU friends and family of these kids that have to hold them resposible in their personal lives so they'll change their ways. Put your foot down and tell them you won't stand behind them in court this time - then maybe there won't be a next time.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:54 PM
"it's not fair someone got hurt"...hello Erik not only hurt someone, he hurt his friends, his family and everyone's life he ever touched. Erik made a bad decision...HELLO, he isn't even of legal age to be drinking!!! Let's consider that first then the "bad choice" to drive while drunk! Sounds like a winner!
Posted by: Parent on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:50 PM
to Megan and Zach - first a mistake is something that happens that is beyond the true honest control of a person. Being underage, drinking and driving is not a dang mistake. Another thing, when the hell did being a 20 year old still place you in a group of being called a kid. Erik is an ADULT. He needs to serve time, big time!
Posted by: Zach on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:19 PM
For those of you accusing erik of being a bad guy you dont know him. Hes a highly intelligent person who made possibly a fatal decision. we are human. erik is just a kid remember. he would never purposely harm anyone. he made a dumb decision given but to persecute him as a bad guy is not fair. nor was it fair that someone got hurt. remember everyone whether it be the cause of the accident or victim everyone is hurting.
Posted by: Concerned Parent on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:06 PM
What a tragedy! I will keep Denny in my prayers as well as Erick. He made a HUGE error in judgement to drink and drive. Who provided the alcohol? Parents can ONLY preach and teach children, they cannot live their lives for them. Please donot blame the parents many of us have done a great job and then the child does something TERRIBLE as this and yet we have told them forever DONOT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!Lets prosecute the people that provided the alcohol as well!!!! That will also send a message we will not tolerate such behavior. Trust me my son got a DWI and we donot drink or approve of his behavior. Our lives changed but he never injured anyone but himself and now he has gotten treatment and still regrets the choice he made to drink and drive.Your all in my prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:23 PM
A 20 year old drunk at 8am not cool maybe he isn't a bad guy just a stupid one? I don't understand why such a negative view at the 8am time are you saying it would be more acceptable at maybe midnight or so?
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 12, 2008 at 06:14 PM
anonynous. if you were any kind of friend to Erick or the other losser you would have tried to get him help before he hurt someone or himself. I hope his family is real proud of this creep they raised. Shame on them for not getting him help. U know AA. And I thank his mother and father for intalling such great value in there off spring. do the world a favor dont reproduce again. And thank you to doug well said. but hey anonymous go ahead and baby the guilty and forget about the inoccent. that is the american way right?
Posted by: Sam on Oct 12, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Anonymous, who says Erik is not a bad guy. Erik got drunk, while underage, and then drove. Three strikes, he's out. He's a bad guy. Sorry, I know it hurts, but facing facts is easier than burying one's head in the sand. And it's still okay to love a bad guy, just try to help him get straightened out.
Posted by: pete on Oct 12, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Hang the punk and sue him to the hilt.
Posted by: Megan on Oct 12, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Erik is a good person and he made a bad mistake. he was so smart in high school. a lot of people drink and drive, young or old. some get lucky and don't hit anyone and come out with their lives. this is an unfortunate situation. I hope more people stat to get the idea that drinking and driving is JUST STUPID. this could be anyone in eriks situation.I hope this man does live for the sake of him and his family. My prayrs are with the victim and Eriks family as they get through this hard time.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 12, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Erik is not a bad guy. It is terrible what happened. I hope the man lives and will pray for him. For those of you who are judging him though..I mean c'mon how many people do you think get up from a night of partying and drive home? Think about it. It's not right in any way but seriously so many people do it and it will continue to happen. Erik is a kind hearted person and am positive he is very upset and would do anything to take back that stupid action. My prayers go to both.
Posted by: TailGunner on Oct 12, 2008 at 04:27 PM
ANNONYMOUS. Erik is an idiot and belongs in prison for the rest of his life. Sure we have all made mistakes but those did not involve driving drunk and hitting someone. Lets hope your good friend ERIK is not allowed to drive ever again. I'd have him executed for it, but im tough on drunk drivers. There is NO EXCUSE for driving drunk! But since it happened in Sarpy county he might go before Judge Wester who will let him off with a slap on the wrist.
Posted by: Doug on Oct 12, 2008 at 03:33 PM
We in have cheapened life so much in society today that we have comments to say that Erik was a good kid and to not pass judgment. The fact is he was not a good kid. Good kids don’t act this irresponsible. The shame is with that incredibly irresponsibility statement of the anonymous person @ 10:23pm. When you are drunk at eight o’clock in the morning and twenty years old, this was NOT your first time drinking and driving. You just haven’t gotten caught yet. If this anonymous person took the time to say good things about Erik, why didn’t they take the same amount of time to see his problem and help him so Denny did not have to pay the price for this, so-called good kids actions. I will make sure that I am at Erik’s bond review and his arraignment to see how good of a kid he really is. My prayers are with you Denny and family.
Posted by: to Annonymous at 10:23 on Oct 12, 2008 at 03:05 PM
"he never meant to cause harm to anyone." what a bunch of crap. my parents were killed by a drunk driver and if there's one thing that is constantly pounded home to us in school and (hopefully) by our parents, it's that drunk driving is a CHOICE - a bad one that kills. He DID mean to cause harm; this was no mistake, and NOT an accident. does a person who smokes NOT mean to get lung cancer?? this was an idiot choosing to do idiotic things. it's too bad more of these drunks don't kill themselves on the roads instead of others. I wish the penalties were harsher than they are - he'll probably be hurting more from the $10,000 lawyer bills than any time in jail. We DO have a right to pass judgement - those of us who don't drink and drive. It's not like he didn't know what might happen!!!
Posted by: Cara on Oct 12, 2008 at 02:08 PM
My prayers are with you all. Denny's a great man, I hope he makes a fast and full recovery.
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 12, 2008 at 02:04 PM
For the Annonymous person who dares to come on this website and try to get pity for Erik....Yeah, Erik might pay for the rest of his life living with guilt and serving jail time....but Dennis might lose his life because of Eriks irresponsibleness. And if he lives, who knows how long it will take for him to have a full recovery or if he will even be the same person. How dare you try to even come on here and stick up for Erik. Shame on you! Shame on Erik! Erik walks away from the scene and an innocent man was critically injured! I hope he goes to jail for a very long time. He deserves hard time! I hope he's ready to be someone's little "boyfriend" in jail too! He deserves everything he has coming to him! JUSTICE BETTER BE SERVED!
Posted by: kathy on Oct 12, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Eric doesn't sound like such a good kid to me, Anonymous. Apparenly you blinded yourself to his potential destructive behavior. Made mistakes, yes, I have. Put someone else's life in danger, I think not. If you have, SHAME ON YOU AS WELL. He's old enough to make decisions. We all live by choices - we reep benefits from good once, suffer consequences for bad. Sounds like you're patting him on the head instead of holding him accountable.
Posted by: Ted on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Erik became the judge, jury, and executioner when he made to the decision to get behind the wheel. Annonymous stated that everyone who passes judgement on his should be shameful...well, Erik automatically passed judgement that everyone else's life was less important then his. Erik is a loser!
Posted by: been there on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:31 AM
This kind of thing is happening way to often. I think the consequences are to lean so people don't care wether they drink and drive. If stricter punishment was enforced we wouldn't see this so often.
Posted by: Anon on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:05 AM
This is to - Annonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:23 PM - I am hoping you are just a fool who wants to get people fired up...a big mistake? I would say what Erik did is WAY larger than jsut a big mistake. Drunkat 8am - are you kidding me. He needs help and a lot of it!
Posted by: Calvin on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Annonymous .. you mentioned Erik is a "good kid" and shame those who have a different perspective on him. It may be one thing to as you say "really mess up" by getting drunk and killing or injuring yourself (and that is bad enough) but it pales in comparison to Erik being a "good kid who really messed up" when the life or maming of an innocent husband, father, brother, wife, mother, or sister is involved. I think the public outrage is justified.
Posted by: Kelli on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I am a daughter of Denny's, I just want to thank everyone who stopped and prayed for my dad, the nurse that helped to hold his airway open, and everyone that continues to pray for him. Our family is deeply saddened but very hopeful, our dad is strong and we really think he will fight. The circumstances for the accident are terrible and we hope others will see this and think twice before they drink and drive. Thank you again to everyone who helped our dad at the scene. Keep him in your prayers. The smith family
Posted by: Ginny on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:36 AM
First of all-to 'annonymous'-your FRIEND chose to drink and drive. At 8 am! How are people supposed to react? How incredibly irresponsible to get behind the wheel after drinking. And, yes, I hope this poor man survives and is well enough to continue his life-interrupted by the callous actions of others. And, to top it off-neither of those in the truck were OLD enough to drink! When will young adults get it that it just hurts others? If you're going to drink, don't drive. If you're going to drive, don't drink! Simple. It's not rocket science. Sad, that his friend thinks people shouldn't judge. He has to be accountable for his actions. That's life. May God Bless Denny and his family. And, may the justice system hold Erik to the highest level of accountability. Doesn't change Denny's situation, though.
Posted by: tim on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Demon alcohol, let's party.... It's To bad idiot's and their Cell phones create just as much destruction as DWIs but you do not hear the same outcry from the public or Government. Get caught driven while useing a Cell phone or tex messegeing should be the same punishment as DWI.
Posted by: Elizabeth on Oct 12, 2008 at 09:14 AM
My thoughts are with Dennis Smith and his loved ones. I hope you a speedy recovery.
Posted by: SoonerFan on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:18 AM
This guy is a peice of work. Should never be allowed to drive again. That is a priviledge not a freedom. But he will get off and drive again, they always do. Just another loser we are paying for. Unbeleivable.
Posted by: JP on Oct 11, 2008 at 11:38 PM
How terribly sad that a couple of young lives think so little of themselves to act so incredibly irresponsible and furthermore how terribly sad that an innocent individual has to pay for the mindless neglect of someone else. And is it just me or does this Erik kid look a bit smug in his mugshot?! I would think he'd look a little more distraught with the weight of his actions on his shoulders.
Posted by: Annonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Erik is a good kid who really messed up and he's going to be paying for it for the rest of his life. He never meant to cause harm to anyone. Shame to all of those who pass judgement on a person they dont even know, we have all made big mistakes in life and his will be one that will always follow him. My condolences are to the family of the vitcim, I'm sorry for what my friend has done.
Posted by: samantha smith on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:33 PM
i hope you know that denny means the world to my aunt, and you may hope that he dont die cuz you will have so many peaple at your trial, and i will be one of them. and you will be sorry. to be drunk at that time of day is what i call sad. u dont have a life do you. i hope u know that your world has changed by your choice!!! live with it!!!
Posted by: J on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:22 PM
What is wrong with people? Don't they realize how precious a human life is and if they decide to drink and drive, their chances of taking one is so much higher! It makes me so sad!
Posted by: SHERYL on Oct 11, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Nancy and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 08:33 PM
It is not only what if he dies what about if he has a serious injury and will never be the same person. Jail time will never be enough for someone like this to learn a lesson! What will he get..1 yr with work release and that is probably only if it's his 10th incidence!
Posted by: Chris on Oct 11, 2008 at 07:57 PM
The main question to ask is "How long are all of you going to continue to allow this behavior to go unpunished?"
Posted by: anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 06:27 PM
It should be Erik in the hospital, not Denny! I hope you go to jail for a very long time....you deserve everything minute behind bars....
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Erik was such a creepy guy in school! I'm sure it wasn't just alcohol in his system!
Posted by: TJ on Oct 11, 2008 at 04:55 PM
8am and you were drunk?? I'm guessing you were up drinking all night. You're such a loser. You better pray this man does not die!
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