Nebraska Woman Gets Prison for Vehicular Homicide

(Papillion, Nebraska) In May 2007, a 27-year-old pre-med student at Creighton University, Heather Henning, was accused of drunkenly driving across the center line and hitting a motorcycle carrying off duty police officer Shad Nicks, 36. Officer Nicks, a married father of three, was killed.

Investigators said Henning's blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit when the incident occurred. She was booked into custody at the Sarpy County Jail on charges of felony motor vehicle homicide and driving while intoxicated. Notably, Henning's prior record is marred with numerous violations including eight speeding tickets.

Last month, Heather Henning pleaded no contest to felony motor vehicle homicide and misdemeanor reckless driving. As a result, Sarpy County District Judge Max Kelch sentenced her to three and one-half to five years in prison for the homicide and a concurrent 90 days in prison for the reckless driving.

Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov originally charged Henning with motor vehicle homicide while driving drunk, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and revocation of her driver's license for up to 15 years. But the State Patrol failed to label samples of her blood, rendering them unusable in court to show impairment.

In court, Henning made a statement to the Nicks family.

"I'm fully aware that no matter what I do for the rest of my life, I cannot take away the pain away you will feel forever. . . . The only thing I can do is accept responsibility for my actions. I'm sorry for all your losses."

Henning must serve 21 months before she is eligible for parole.

On Friday of this week, Greg Pivovar, Henning's attorney, filed a motion to allow her to remain out on bond while her case is on appeal. Judge Kelch will rule next week.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy