Driver in fatal accident sentenced to four days in jail, suspended sentence

HOLDREGE -- A McCook woman who left the scene of a fatal accident near Holdrege in August 2009 was sentenced to jail and probation in Phelps County Court in Holdrege March 24.

Michelle L. Reiners, 32 years old, was charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident, a Class II misdemeanor, after the vehicle she was driving southbound struck and killed Mathew Henriksen, 35, of Kearney, as Henriksen walked in the southbound lane of Highway 183 about 11⁄2 miles north of Holdrege about 3 a.m., Aug. 23, 2009. Henriksen died at the scene.

Judge Robert Ide sentenced Reiners to 64 days in jail (with 60 days suspended) in the Phelps County jail, one year probation and 200 hours of community service to be completed within one year. Her driver's license was impounded for six months and her driving restricted to work, education and medical treatment. Reiners was ordered to pay court costs.

At the time of the accident, Reiners was in her second year as volleyball coach at McCook Community College. She is no longer employed by the college.