A 48-year-old Wyoming man has been convicted of motor vehicle homicide and drunk driving in car crash in late 2013 that claimed the life of a western Nebraska woman.
The Nebraska Attorney General Office reports Edward Hood of Sheridan was found guilty in Garden County District Court of Count I Motor Vehicle Homicide-prior DUI, a Class II felony; Count II Manslaughter, a Class 3 felony; and Count III Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Class 3A felony.
Authorities say Hood was driving from Sheridan December 7th of 2013 when he lost control of his vehicle five miles west of Oshkosh in Garden County. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a west-bound vehicle, driven by Terry Hofer of Ogallala. Hofer was killed. Her passenger, Claudia Weinbender, sustained life threatening injuries.
The Attorney General’s Office reports Hood was driving under the influence of alcohol. A warrant for his arrest had been issued by Florida authorities after he failed to appear in court on a DUI charge after an accident there. Police found an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
Sentencing in Garden County District Court is set for June.