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Pawnee City Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Car-Buggy Crash

By Matthew Leaf

11/18/2013

(KTNC)--A Pawnee City woman has pleaded not guilty to two charges related to a July accident that killed an Amish teenager.

Fifty-six year-old Vivian Cockrell entered her pleas Monday in Pawnee County District Court and Judge Daniel Bryan scheduled a trial for February 10.

Cockrell is charged with felony motor vehicle homicide and misdemeanor misuse of a learner's permit.

Prosecutors say Cockrell was driving a Cadillac that struck a horse-drawn buggy carrying 21-year-old Fannie Yoder and her 17-year-old brother Reuben.

The two were on their way to church at the time of the July 21st accident on Highway 8-50 east of Pawnee City. Reuben Yoder died and Fannie Yoder was critically hurt in the accident.

Cockrell was driving on a learner's permit at the time of the accident. She received a one-year learner’s permit on July 5 and was required to be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.

According to the Lincoln Journal-Star, the permit placed restrictions on Cockrell, including that she must wear glasses, drive only during daylight hours at no more than 45 miles-per-hour, and have outside rearview mirrors on her vehicle.

Cockrell faces up to five years in prison if she’s convicted on the felony charge.

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