Lincoln Woman Accepts Plea Deal in Vehicular Homicide Case
A Lincoln woman accused of motor vehicle homicide has reached a plea deal with the state, despite her attorney’s claim that she may have been drugged prior to the three-vehicle accident on Highway 136 in 2021 that left a Deshler man dead and two others injured.
The accident occurred Tuesday night, January 20, 2021.
According to the sheriff’s office, an investigation of the scene determined two vehicles traveling westbound on Highway 136, one following the other. A third vehicle, driven by Raquel A. Bredemeier, traveling eastbound, crossed the center line and struck both vehicles.
One of the westbound drivers was identified as Samuel Lindley and pronounced deceased at the scene. Bredemeier and the other driver, Hailey Gehle of Deshler, were transported from the scene by ambulance.
Bredemeier, 31, of Lincoln, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, with her attorney, Carlos Monzon. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.
This was the last day for a plea deal. A trial was scheduled for February 20-22, 2024.
The defendant was originally charged with unintentional motor vehicle homicide, a class 2A felony which carries a possible penalty of 20 years in prison, as well as DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), a class W misdemeanor punishable by 60 days in jail, a $500 fine and a six-month driver’s license revocation, and driving left of the center line, an infraction.
In November of this year, the state amended its case against Bredemeier to add a new charge: manslaughter, also a class 2A felony. The defendant was arraigned on the new charge in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2023.
In accordance with the plea agreement, Bredemeier pleaded No Contest to motor vehicle homicide. The remaining charges were dismissed.
Blood drawn from Bredemeier, taken after the accident, indicated a blood alcohol level of .106, above the legal limit.
Had the case gone to trial, Bredemeier’s attorney indicated he would have presented a defense of “involuntary intoxication.” Monzon said the blood draw had been sent to an independent laboratory at the University of St. Louis. Monzon indicated the results detected the presence of a ‘roofie,’ slang for a date-rape drug. Monzon alleged that a drink consumed by Bredemeier prior to the accident had been spiked with such a drug.
However, according to Monzon, his client opted to accept the plea deal rather than going to trial, “She wants to take advantage of the plea compromise.”
Judge Bargen ordered a PSI (Pre-Sentencing Investigation). Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2024.
The defendant remains free on a $25,000 (10 percent) bond at this time.
