Maison King, 26, of Oakland, Nebraska, was sentenced to 14-16 years in prison after pleading “no contest” to two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury. The crash, which occurred in April 2024 on I-80 near the 24th Street exit, resulted in the deaths of two people and left several others seriously injured.
The accident involved King driving a 2021 Kia Sportage the wrong way, colliding nearly head-on with a 2017 Ford Fusion. Ross Lewis, 26, of Wilber, Nebraska, who was a back-seat passenger in the Ford, died at the scene. Police reports indicated that Lewis was not wearing a seatbelt. Kyle Arnold, 30, of Omaha, the driver of the Ford, died while being transported to the hospital, despite wearing a seatbelt.
Two other passengers in the Ford were also injured. A 24-year-old woman from Shenandoah, Iowa, suffered life-threatening abdominal injuries, and a 29-year-old man from Kearney sustained serious chest injuries. Both the woman and the man were not wearing seat belts.
King, the lone occupant of the Kia, was also hospitalized with serious back injuries. A blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was 0.175, more than twice the legal limit. King’s bond was initially set at $50,000 following his court appearance.
King’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of his actions, which caused significant loss and suffering. The case has raised questions about impaired driving, and law enforcement continues to stress the importance of safe driving and seatbelt use to prevent such tragic accidents.
