Omaha Woman Sentenced for Fatal DUI Crash that Claimed Four Lives
OMAHA, Neb. – Rachel Bickerstaff, a 34-year-old from Omaha, was sentenced to a minimum of 70 years in prison for a tragic drunken driving incident that resulted in the deaths of four people, including her three young children. Bickerstaff received a sentence ranging from 140 to 180 years for four counts of motor vehicle homicide following the September 2024 crash, which also claimed the life of 70-year-old Michael Sales.
The investigation revealed Bickerstaff reached speeds of 142 mph and had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit at .216. During her court appearance, she expressed profound remorse, stating, “I would trade my life for all the life lost.” Her attorney highlighted her traumatic childhood and struggles with substance abuse.
Prosecutors emphasized the severity of the case, calling it one of the worst DUI incidents in Douglas County history. Sales’ daughter poignantly described the devastation her family faced, pleading for a sentence that reflects the immense loss. Bickerstaff’s eligibility for parole could come as early as 70 years due to Nebraska’s "good time" law.
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