It is a case prosecutors and activists say could help change the law when it comes to Nebraska’s drunk driving penalties.
Sarah Danoff, the 28-year-old sister-in-law of Aaron Danoff, the man responsible for a crash that killed a newlywed bride last fall, pleaded no contest Tuesday to buying the alcohol Aaron Danoff drank before that crash.
She had been charged with two counts of procuring alcohol for a minor and one count of failure to appear. One of the procuring charges and the failure to appear were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
Surveillance video showed Aaron Danoff and a friend at a grocery store near 35th and L Streets on Oct. 9. They were with Sarah Danoff, picking out a 12-pack of beer and a 12-pack of Smirnoff Ice.
Danoff and his friend went back to Sarah Danoff’s house and drank most of the two 12-packs while Sarah Danoff and her husband went to a bar, said Omaha City Prosecutor Marty Conboy.
Conboy said Aaron Danoff argued with his friend when that friend urged him not to drive. He later argued with a cousin at a party who also urged Danoff not to drive.
Aaron Danoff drove anyway, ran a red light and slammed into a car driven by Jessica Bedient, 26, at 144th and Q Streets. Bedient died days later. Her husband of five weeks, Tony Bedient, was critically injured.
Aaron Danoff was sentenced to 10 to 14 years in prison for one count of felony motor vehicle homicide.
Sarah Danoff could have been sentenced Tuesday by Douglas County Judge Joseph Caniglia. But Danoff’s attorney Steve Delaney and Conboy asked for a presentence investigation.
She will be sentenced on June 30 and could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Conboy told the judge that the case is at the “very highest end of the spectrum” in regard to possible penalties.
Sarah Danoff said little in court other than answering “I do” to questions from Caniglia. She kept quiet after her court appearance, hurrying from the courthouse.
Several of Bedient’s family members were in court wearing dark buttons with the letter “J.”
David Lutton, Bedient’s father, said he believes Sarah Danoff should be facing the same penalty that Aaron Danoff received. He said nothing will bring his daughter back but hopefully another family can be spared the pain they are going through.
Conboy said that a year from now, someone in Danoff’s shoes could be facing felony charges and five years in prison.
Conboy predicted that the Legislature would pass a bill, Legislative Bill 667, that includes a number of provisions, including stiffer penalties for procuring alcohol for a minor. He said the Danoff case was the one driving that legislation.
“This should get the most severe penalty,” Conboy said. “It’s hard to imagine a case worse than this.”
Sarah Danoff’s lawyer said the crash was something that has “torn her up from day one.”
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