Deadline for Plea Agreement Passes in Motor Vehicle Homicide Case

The date of Thursday, February 2, 2023, was the deadline for a plea agreement in the case of Dalton A. McMaster, age 29, of Fairbury, who is charged with motor vehicle homicide.The defendant has a prior conviction for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) in Marshall County, Kansas, on May 6, 2016. That conviction makes the current charge a class 2 felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison.The victim was Cody W. Craig, 28, of Hanover, Kansas.According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, on Nov. 10, 2020, they were notified of an accident that occurred just south of the junction of 714 Avenue and River Road.Upon arriving at the scene, deputies discovered a male subject who was identified as Cody Craig. Craig was then treated by Jefferson County Ambulance District #33 and transported to Jefferson Community Health and Life where he was pronounced dead due to injuries related to the motor vehicle accident.Another individual was also discovered in the area of the scene and was an occupant in the vehicle. He was treated and transported from the scene by Jefferson County Ambulance and later transported to Lincoln by ambulance. He was identified as Dalton McMaster.Based on investigation made at the scene the vehicle, which was a 2000 Buick Century, was traveling southbound on River Road. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times ejecting both occupants from the vehicle. According to the Affidavit of Arrest Warrant, law enforcement believes McMaster was the driver of the vehicle.McMaster and his attorney, Dustin Garrison, have disputed that version of events. McMaster has stated that Craig was driving.Neither McMaster or Garrison appeared in Jefferson County District Court. However, county attorney Joseph Casson advised the court that he had been in touch with Garrison, who felt he needed more time.The presiding judge, David J.A. Bargen, said, “I don't think I will continue the deadline.”A jury trial is scheduled on the court docket for March 18 to March 23, 2023.

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