A Scotts Bluff County District judge decides whether or not a local teen is guilty of driving drunk and killing his passenger.
Closing arguments concluded on Thursday in a bench trial for 19-year old Brian Bloom. Now it's time for Judge Randy Lippstreu to determine his fate.
Bloom is charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter after allegedly driving drunk when the passenger in his vehicle stuck his head out of the window and hit a road sign.
The passenger died at the scene.
Bloom's blood alcohol level was point - one - four at the time of the accident.
The trial was a bench trial, rather than a jury trial; so it will be solely up to Judge Lippstreu to determine both a verdict and sentencing.
He tells KOTA Territory News that he might render a verdict tomorrow, or a week from now. He just wants to have a comfortable amount of time to review all the evidence.
