Hayes Center man dies by electrocution, two arrested on meth charges

HAYES CENTER -- Authorities discovered evidence of a meth lab after responding to the scene where a man was electrocuted while attempting to restore power to the rural residence.

Daniel Joe Jussel, 29, died just before 2:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday, Nebraska State Patrol Sgt. Mark Larson said.

The power to the rural residence about 25 miles northwest of Hayes Center had been shut off. Jussel had climbed the pole to restore power when he was electrocuted, Larson said.

When authorities arrived, they discovered the residence had all the components for a meth lab, Larson said.

Two other people were at the residence when Jussel was killed, but took off before police arrived. They were later arrested in North Platte with meth, Larson said.

Harold Ryan, 42, and Adrienne Smith, 20, were charged in Lincoln County Court on Wednesday with drug possession with intent to deliver, Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Meyer said.

Ryan and Smith, both of North Platte, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Hayes County Sheriff Brad Buescher said authorities also discovered items which had been stolen during a recent burglary in the county.

He said Drug Enforcement Administration was called in to clean up the scene of the meth lab.