When most drivers get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they have no intention of causing an accident. However, sometimes a driver can become momentarily distracted, and what began simply as a well-intentioned act becomes a much more complicated situation. Such is the case for a Nebraska man now facing criminal charges after he borrowed an SUV from a friend with the intention of driving it to visit his family in Omaha.
The accident happened after the 54-year-old man left Falls City in the SUV and was in the northbound lane on the highway. Witness reports and a crash reconstruction show that the SUV crossed the centerline into the southbound lane. Meanwhile, a man driving a pickup truck reportedly tried to avoid the SUV by swerving into the northbound lane. When the SUV swerved back into the northbound lane, the two vehicles collided. Two passengers in the pickup truck, identified as the driver’s wife and daughter, were killed.
According to witnesses, the SUV driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Later that evening, he was located in Falls City, where he received medical treatment and was then taken into custody. Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, but blood results are pending.
The SUV driver now faces several criminal charges, including leaving the scene of a fatality crash, motor vehicle homicide involving reckless or willful reckless driving, and willful reckless driving. If convicted, his driver’s license could be suspended for up to 15 years, among other probable consequences. These are serious charges, and this man is likely feeling quite overwhelmed right now. Fortunately, he and others who are facing these types of charges in Nebraska can consult with an experienced attorney who can analyze all of the unique circumstances of each case in order to determine the best possible criminal defense strategy moving forward.