Nebraska man charged in fatal I-80 crash pleads ‘no contest’

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A northeast Nebraska man charged in connection with an Omaha crash that killed two people has changed his plea in the case.

Maison King, 26, of Oakland, Neb., pleaded "no contest" to two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury.

He appeared in Douglas County Court on Friday after being arrested and charged in April.

King is set to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025.

He is facing up to 20 years on each motor vehicle homicide charge. For the DUI causing serious bodily injury charge, he is facing up to three years and/or a $10,000 fine, court documents say.

Omaha Police were called to an injury accident on Interstate 80 just past 24th Street in April 2024. An arrest affidavit alleges King was driving a 2021 Kia Sportage the wrong way and collided nearly head-on with a 2017 Ford Fusion.

A passenger in the Ford, Ross Lewis, 26, of Wilber, Neb., died at the scene. The Ford's driver, Kyle Arnold, 30, of Omaha, also died.

Another passenger in the Ford was hospitalized for critical injuries. A third passenger suffered serious injuries to her chest, but did not go to the hospital.

King was identified as the lone occupant of the Kia. He was also taken to the hospital; a preliminary test revealed he had a blood alcohol level of .175, more than twice the legal limit.

His bond was set at $50,000 after his court appearance.