Omaha man pleads no contest to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide

Jonathan McDougald faces as much as one 12 months in jail and a $1,000 effective when he is sentenced in January by Douglas County Choose Jeffrey Marcuzzo.  

Authorities stated McDougald was offended and went on a drive March 12, driving 66 mph when his automobile collided with an SUV pushed by 35-year-old Regina Vivid.

Vivid was driving close to forty second and Grover streets, which is a 35 mph zone. At some factors in McDougald’s drive, officers stated, he sped as much as 90 mph. 

McDougald, driving a Chevrolet Impala, was southbound on forty second Road when his automobile struck Vivid’s Jeep Compass, which was northbound on forty second Road and turning left right into a fuel station.

The pressure of the influence prompted the Jeep to hit a utility pole, rotate clockwise and land on its driver’s facet. Vivid was pronounced lifeless on the scene. 

Douglas County Lawyer Don Kleine stated in August that he decided a misdemeanor motorcar murder cost was applicable as a result of McDougald was merely dashing.

“The courts have decided that extreme velocity, with out different elements, will not be sufficient to make it a felony,” he stated. 

A handful of household and mates of Vivid who appeared on the listening to Friday stated that is not sufficient. 

Veronica Vivid, Vivid’s mom, stated she thinks that reckless dashing that causes somebody’s dying must be a felony. She needs to make her case to state legislators to alter the legislation. 

“We just about have to depart it within the fingers of the courtroom and hope that this decide is truthful,” she stated. “Reckless driving must be a felony. Whether or not he was drunk or not, it must be a felony.”

Vivid left behind two kids, ages 15 and 14. Veronica Vivid, who wore a T-shirt together with her daughter’s picture on it and a button together with her beginning and dying dates, stated her daughter was beneficiant and sort.

“Gina was actually all about love and laughter and hope and bringing individuals collectively. That was Gina,” she stated. “I by no means met anyone who did not like Gina.”

Associates Yolanda Delts and Treasured Clark, who met Vivid within the sixth and tenth grades, respectively, stated they do not really feel that McDougald has proven regret. Additionally they fear about what message the case sends to reckless drivers. 

“We simply really feel like, if he will get off of this, it opens the door for different younger individuals to suppose that they are often mad and offended and exit,” Clark stated. “And simply since you weren’t drunk or below the affect doesn’t offer you a proper to not be capable to deal with your feelings and exit and drive and be reckless and careless.”