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

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

Maison King, 26, of Oakland, Nebraska, pleaded no contest to two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of drunken driving resulting in serious bodily injury.

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

King is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2025.

He faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of vehicular homicide. He faces up to three years and/or a $10,000 fine for the DUI charge of causing serious bodily injury, according to court documents.

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

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

Another passenger in the Ford was taken to hospital with serious injuries. A third passenger suffered serious chest injuries but did not need to be hospitalized.

King was identified as the Kia’s sole occupant. He was also taken to the hospital; A preliminary test showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.175, more than twice the legal limit.

His bail was set at $50,000 following his court appearance.

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