A twenty-three-year-old North Platte man was sentenced to 19 months probation Thursday following his conviction of misdemeanor Motor Vehicle Homicide. At the time of the accident, Jay Cooper was traveling eastbound on Highway 30 just a couple of miles west of Lexington around 3:38am.
Dawson County Sheriff Mark Montgomery had said evidence points to Cooper’s vehicle crossing the center line and striking a SUV, driven by 39-year-old Luis A Hernandez-Zavala of Lexington. Hernandez-Zavala was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Cooper and a female passenger Hernandez-Zavala’s vehicle were transported to Lexington Regional Health Center for treatment of injuries. Seatbelts were in use.
At Thursday’s sentencing, County Judge Jeffrey Wightman described it as among the most difficult cases that come before this court. He said it often times presents with a defendant who had no significant criminal history. But, Judge Wightman said “someone has lost their life as a result of the actions that were taken that night by the defendant.
Cooper was also ordered to serve 100 hours of community service, within 12 months and 6 days in jail. Two to be served within a couple of weeks and two days around August 21st this year and in 2027, the day of Hernandez-Zavala’s birthday. Judge Wightman acknowledged the 6 days jail is largely symbolic but, hoped it and the community service would make the point of the seriousness of the charge along with time to reflect on those matters.
Cooper was ordered to participate in victim impact panels or victim impact programming if available through the Probation Office.
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Lexington Fire and Rescue, Dawson County Attorney’s Office, Priority Medical and Randy and Brian’s Towing.
