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Semi driver pleads no contest in teen's death

Posted at 4:51 PM, Feb 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-23 19:14:57-05

The man responsible for killing a Millard North Senior in a rural Douglas County crash over the summer enters a plea.

Michael Green, 47, of Raymond, NE pleads “No Contest” to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide this week in Douglas County Court.

The crash happened at 264th & W. Center Rd. near Yutan and killed Madeline Fitzpatrick, 18, on August 9th.  Green was driving a semi-truck pulling a loaded trailer, was on his phone and following too closely when the crash happened.  Fitzpatrick was on the back of a motorcycle, driven by Jason Matthews, when they turned south to go to Two Rivers State Park and were hit.  Matthews lived while Fitzpatrick died at the scene.

Maddy's friends struggle to make sense of what happened.

"I was shocked I didn't know exactly what to say.  You see it on the news but you never think it will happen to a close friend of yours.  I just can't believe she's gone," said Jordyn Melander, Fitzpatrick’s friend.

Green will be sentenced for the crash in May.  He faces a maximum of 1 year in prison.

Melander would like friends and family write letters to the judge and wear her shirts to let them know how much Madeline meant to everyone.

“It's not easy losing someone that you called family for so long,” said Taylor Bodnar, Fitzpatrick’s friend.

If you would like to send a letter to Judge John Huber, the presiding judge, about Madeline Fitzpatrick you can send it to:

1701 Farnam St.
Hall of Justice Suite #100
Omaha, NE 68183