The driver charged in a January fatal accident that claimed the lives of two young women from Scottsbluff makes his first appearance in District Court.
22–year–old Ethan Kaufman is charged with two counts of aggravated homicide by vehicle, and two counts of driving under the influence causing serious bodily injury.
This afternoon in district court of the eighth judicial district court, Kaufman pled not guilty to all four charges.
Prosecutors say Kaufman crashed the truck he was driving, killing passengers Alexis Wheeler and Hallie Anderson, and seriously injuring the vehicle's other two passengers, Tyler Hill and Stetson Allen.
Alcohol, high speeds, and texting while driving are all said to be possible reasons for the crash.
District Judge Keith Kautz says a hearing date will be scheduled within the next 180 days.
If convicted, Kaufman could face up to 60 years in prison.
