Nebraska man will not face vehicular homicide charges after fatally hitting a woman
William Wright, 30, was driving drunk and speeding when he hit Kaitlyn Van Essen, 20
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}OMAHA, Neb. — An Omaha man accused of being drunk and driving 20 mph over the speed limit when he fatally hit a woman in the city’s Blackstone entertainment district will not face a vehicular homicide charge, the county's top prosecutor said.
Police have said William Wright, 30, had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit to drive when he hit 20-year-old Kaitlyn Van Essen of Omaha around 2 a.m. Dec. 4.
(Lino Mirgeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said in a statement Wednesday that because Van Essen was also drunk and crossing the street against a "do not walk" sign at the time of the crash, he would not be able to prove that Wright’s being drunk was the primary cause of Van Essen’s death.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Instead, Kleine will refer the case to Omaha city prosecutors to consider DUI and other traffic charges against Wright.