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Motorist Hits Woman, Faces Another DUI Charge Save Email Print
Vehicle struck woman on interstate
Posted: 10:23 AM Aug 28, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:37 AM Aug 29, 2008
 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
56 comments
A | A | A

A heartland man is facing another charge of driving under the influence after his vehicle struck a woman whose car had stalled along Interstate 680 Wednesday night.

Investigators say 26-year-old Brandon Richards has three prior drunk driving convictions. He was booked for driving while intoxicated, a felony, driving on a suspended license and reckless driving.

Police say the woman's car died in the middle lane just south of Dodge Street. As she was trying to get to safety on the shoulder, Richards came up from behind and attempted to swerve out of the way, but hit the woman.

She suffered several injuries including a broken arm.

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Posted by: Tom on Aug 30, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Just try to change lanes on 680 if you aren't doing at least 5-10mph over the speed limit. The clowns out there that will cut you off even if you signal far outnumber the few that will actually give you the room to safely change lanes. Now complicate that by driving a car that has stalled, no power steering, no power brakes and possibly a dead battery, you may now realize WHY she did not get to the side of the road. This fine upstanding criminal who's hobby appears to be "drunk driving" needs to be locked up and the key thrown away, if the courts don't; YOU may be the next one he hits! Then what is your excuse?!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 30, 2008 at 09:44 AM
It seems to me as if repeat offenders have NO respect for anyone, especially their innocent victims. And sorry Grandma, but I don't think anyone with 3 previous DUI's is a good guy, more like an idiot. If he didn't learn the first 3 times, what makes you think he'll learn this time? Just because he injured someone doesn't mean anything...he won't stop until he kills someone, and maybe not even then. There's no excuse for this behavior, and you shouldn't try to justify it. To me, he sounds like a disrespectful moron that needs to be sentenced HARSHLY. I hope that my family is never affected by someone as idiotic as your grandson.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 30, 2008 at 09:21 AM
To Great Guy.I am a friend of Brandons and is a really good guy. Ya he drinks and drives and I am completly against that but that doesnt change who he is. And unless you can say you have never driven drunk or let one of your friends drive drunk then I dont want to hear anything. Who are you to judge The problem is I guarantee at least half the people on hear judging him have driven drunk and probably will again. You are just judging him cause he has gotten caught doing it. I myself have NEVER driven drunk but I have ridden drunk and been the passenger of someone who was driving drunk. I think everyone makes mistakes and has poor judgement and he was wrong for drinking and driving but until he is the only person doing it I dont think anyone has a right to point fingers at just him. Ya he hurt someone but that could happen to anyone who is drunk and it just hasnt happened yet. Just keep that in mind.
Posted by: Great Guy on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Yah grandma, he sounds great, and looks it too. This is his 4th DUI, he doesn't have insurance because he doesn't have a vaild license...so do you think he has money saved to pay for this woman's medical bills? her lost wages? The trauma of being hit by a DRUNK? Doubt it...maybe you should look past his greatness, grandma, and try to get him some help...admittedly you should have done this a few DUI's ago...real great guy...pillar of society...
Posted by: Carrie on Aug 29, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I am Brandon's grandmother. He is a sweet man. He is a good man. This was a tragic mistake. I've been praying for both Brandon and the lady who was hit by his car. Lets pray they both make a full recovery. Again, he is a good person.
Posted by: Victim on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:35 PM
This is all the victims fault.
Posted by: Janelle on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Just recently, a semi carrying metal pipes crashed into a stalled car on I-680 near the West Center Road exit. The semi couldn't get around the car in time and crashed right into it. Accidents happen, regardless of sobriety. But, in the semi situation, the driver of the stalled car got out of the car, and out of the flow of traffic.
Posted by: George on Aug 29, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Outstanding citizen. What a clown. Deserves to do serious jail time.
Posted by: Ironic on Aug 29, 2008 at 03:02 PM
It's strange that she was sober, but stupid enough to notice she was stalling and didn't try to get over then. He was drunk, but still smart enough to nearly avoid hitting her for being stupid enough to stall in the middle lane of 680.
Posted by: RM on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:35 PM
To Me Yes it is an accident waiting to happen leaving the car in the middle of the road but honestly would you by yourself try to push it off the interstate. Put he flashers on get out call for help and hope you don't get hit. He should never be able to drive anything again accept a moped after a long jail time.
Posted by: mary on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:32 PM
My gosh....how many chances does this guy get?? He should not be driving - let alone out on the streets. He should be in JAIL!
Posted by: Biff on Aug 29, 2008 at 02:29 PM
A previous post of mine got rejected, and I had stated that I hope this guy didn't have multiple DUIs....well, I told myself so....Anonymous, you sound as if you're trying to give this guy a pass...DON'T. I have no tolerance for people who drive drunk, esp. when they do it multiple times and continue to do it until they've got a body count. He needs to be put away - NOW. IF he WANTS rehab because he wants to turn his life around and not just because the court tells him to go, let him get it in jail.
Posted by: Gwen on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:37 PM
The story begins and ends with he didn't have a license and shouldn't have been behind the wheel. Hope the book is thrown at him.
Posted by: D on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I hope they give him a serious sentence for a serious crime. He doesn't give a damn about anyone else, so I feel the same about him. There is no excuse for 4 times and on a suspended license as well.
Posted by: Joe on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM
This is why Drunk Drivers need to be imprisoned or executed. People think I am way to harsh on drunk drivers, but if you dont really punish them on there first offense you get repeat offenders like this. Drunk Drivers have no value and deserve to be executed. There is no excuse for driving drunk. But in Nebraska its ok, because you will just get a slap on the wrist and sent on your merry way to go do it again.
Posted by: HL on Aug 29, 2008 at 10:42 AM
To everyone asking why she didn't go to the side once she noticed her vehicle was having problems - she might NOT have had much or any warning, depending on what was wrong with her car. Years ago, my car died almost instananeously, completely, with no warning and no opportunity for me to get to a safer place. And we all know how hard it is in Omaha to get most people to use road courtesy, so even if she had been trying to move over, other drivers might not have let her. And unfortunately I have to agree with many posters that even if Mr Richards hadn't been drinking, he might have had trouble avoiding her. A good friend of mine was killed in a similar situation. He was sober and not speeding, but came over a hill and smashed into a car stalled just over the top of the hill. The moral is: DON'T DRIVE WHEN YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING - it's hard enough to avoid problems when you're sober.
Posted by: annonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:45 AM
I have always said if you want to hurt or murder someone, just drive drunk. In Nebraska it is always a slap on the wrist for DUI's.
Posted by: Janelle on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:27 AM
BLAME ME. Some of us may feel some responsiblility in a situation like this. Have you ever driven after drinking a beer or two? I'm guilty. Have you ever let someone else drive after they have drank? I'm guilty. Have you ever caused anyone harm due to bad judgement? I'm guilty. Have you ever unitentionaly hurt someone (mentally or physically) through your actions? I'm guilty. I'm sure that almost everyone reading has known somone (friend, family, acquaintence) who has suffered from alcoholism. Maybe if I had done a better job of reaching out to Brandon this would have been avoided, and his life would be heading down a different path today.
Posted by: Manditory prison time on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:50 AM
With the new laws that went into affect in July he will be spending time w/ the big boys in Lincoln & it isn't enough.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 07:00 AM
To Please. I never said he doesnt need to be punished for what he did. In fact if you read I said he is completely STUPID for driving while he was drunk. I also said Im not excusing him for what he did. What I said was it could have happened to anyone SOBER. I hope this girl makes a full recovery & I am NOT blaming her at all. Although I wouldnt get out & push my car in the dark to try and get it out of the way but that was a decision she made. And he decided to drive drunk (again) I myself think it was stupid of both of them but mostly him. I have lost a few friends to being hit by drunk drivers so that is the most ridiculous thing anyone could ever do but he did & now I am hoping when he gets out in 20-30 years he will choose not to drink ever again. And ya this is going to affect him mentally. I know the last thing on his mind right now is another beer & unless you know him personally like I do I dont think you have the right to say what he is thinking about. I know for a fact.
Posted by: MJ on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:42 AM
Prayers going out fot the speedy recovery of the woman injured in this accident.
Posted by: Stacie on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:04 AM
A 4th DUI? He shouldn't be able to drive until he is close to 40. I would hold him responsible for medical expenses but he can't even be responsible for himself. He is absolutely to blame for impairing himself with all of that alcohol. I don't feel a bit sorry for him and I hope that woman regains her strength and has the book thrown at him. He shouldn't be able to even walk free for a long long time after creating all of those injuries and almost killing someone. That man better change his life around real soon and learn to enjoy life on a sober note.
Posted by: Tammy on Aug 29, 2008 at 12:33 AM
The vehicle stalled on 680, Wed. night did not just suffer a broken arm. She is in the Trauma Center @ Creighton University. She has a broken shoulder, shattered upper arm, cracked pelvic bone and cracker lower back bone. She has severe burns and laceration from head to toe. How does Brandon Richards live with himself??? His 4th DUI. He need to go to prison for a longtime. This young women is suffering and that loser has a 4th DUI??? Again, justice needs to be served!!!
Posted by: Observer on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:53 PM
I agree - unexpected things happen whether it is something in the roadway or a car stalled or in an accident. Reaction time is a must! Control of your vehicle is a must. It is your responsibility to avoid the danger. Most people are responsible drivers, however, there are also an abundance of idiots on the road - zipping in and out of traffic lanes, passing you on the shoulder of the road and they are also rude and arrogant. They are the danger. Driving the speed limit and watching traffic makes more sense to me.
Posted by: Bill on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I can't believe these comments. Some repeat loser driving drunk hits someone and the victim is getting blamed. Regardless of where the woman was if he wasn't intoxicated he wouldn't have hit her. He needs his license revoked, jail time, community service....all of it. The women was trying to get her stalled vehicle off the road so it wouldn't get hit and this loser hits her anyway. Stop blaming the victim!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Only DUI for this guy huh? Why not charge him with attempted murder for acting with his vehicle as a deadly weapon while under the influence... a dramatically irresponsible action! You must only get those charges when you can't stop your vehicle and are in a terribly tragic accident. HYPOCRITS!
Posted by: PLEASE! on Aug 28, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Anon @ 6:06pm...are you SERIOUS? What he is going through MENTALLY? Mentally, he's thinking about where he can get his next beer. This is why driving drunk is such an idiotic offense...when driving, you have to be prepared for ANYTHING, and when you're drunk, you don't have that capacity. This is his FOURTH offense? And he's only 26 years old?! Let's hope the judge takes away his license for a number of years and throws his butt in jail for awhile. 'Course that won't do any good...drunks like this will drive on suspended or revoked licenses. Best thing the rest of us can do is try to stay off the roads.
Posted by: Pat on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Drive slowly. What's the hurry? What's the rush? Oh!, yes; that's right- If you don't get to where you are going to fast enough, you'll lose out, right? & nobody wants to lose out, right? Unless of course, whatever you are on your way to do really isn't & I repeat!, ISN'T all that important & will keep! Yes, it is about priorities. What is important & what is MORE important. Who knows? Maybe taking the Interstate will save on gas, time, money & your LIFE! If you decide to drop out of the rat race or decide to WIN! the rat race by driving slowly- Do it safely. Be prepared to pull over to the shoulder. Even there, FREAK ACCIDENTS happen(ed)! YOU HAVE TO BE WISE, KNOWLEDGEABLE, UNDERSTANDING & CARING! Well, take a good long look & think about the lady who lost out(broken arm!). Cars are unpredictable. NASCAR WALLS PROVE THAT! Tail-gaters BEWARE! There is almost NO excuse for the 3 time drunken, 1 time suspended driver. At night! on the HIGHWAY-Drive just fast enough to avoid drunks!!!
Posted by: me on Aug 28, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Okay people...what was she suppose to do? Leave the car stalled in the middle lane...now that is an accident waiting to happen. I can't belive some peoples way of thinking.
Posted by: Donnie on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:39 PM
I think this is the result of two people making extremely poor decisions. Obviously, this gentleman should not have been behind the wheel (and he will have his day in court) but to get out in the middle of interstate traffic and atempt to push your car out of the road? That is insane. A few years ago I almost had a tragedy on my way to work. In morning rush hour traffic I came upon a vehicle with its hazards on, stopped in the middle lane. This came on very quickly as cars scrambbled to get to the left or the right. By the time I saw her, it was nearly too late (I was not drunk or speeding) Luckily, I was able to squeeze in to the left lane in the nick of time without slamming into her at 55 mph. What was her emergency? A cat that had been hit by a car. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my cat more than life itself, but her insane decision could have caused serious injuries or death.
Posted by: unbelieveable on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I can not believe you people are blaming this woman. That's the problem with our society today. No one takes responsibility for themselves. It's always someone else's fault. This poor woman is stuck in a dead car on the interstate and somehow she should have been able to avoid having her car break down to begin with, and then have gotten out of the way for this drunk. It's extremely sad at what our society has become.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:06 PM
i know brandon personally and although this is his 4th offense this could have happened to any one sober. It was dark and as the article says he came up over a hill. Why didnt she just stay in her car or have hazard lights on. Im not excusing him driving drunk cause I think that is the STUPIDEST thing anybody could ever do. I just think of what he is going to have to go through mentally. I think he should be punished for driving under the influence and I really hope this woman lives through this. It is just a sad story all around.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Why does the court system keep letting these losers go? How many DUIs does it take to incarcerate someone?
Posted by: J on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I agree he should not have been driving drunk but the situation could have had the same result had he been sober. Don't people realize no matter who you all want to point fingers at the result is the same. There are families to both people here and sometimes we need to leave our comments to ourselves.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Boy Richards is lucky he didn't kill her or himself. I hope he'll learn this time, though I doubt it. I hope he gets an ignition interlock device and is required to attend the MADD victim impact panel in September. I don't need any more of my family members killed by a drunk driver.
Posted by: H on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:06 PM
The people that are blaming her are the same one's that left her in the middle of the road with no help. I suppose if it had not been a drunk driver that hit her these same folks would be calling for her crucifiction for being in thier way while they are speeding past her! He was drunk and should not have been driving simple as that, all of you on 680 that day could have prevented this, but were in too much of a hurry to care, now you want to arm chair quaterback what should of happened. What a bunch of selfish people you really are, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Posted by: Annon on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Very sad situation. But I am not throwing stones. I have made the bad decision to drive drunk in the past, and I bet many who leave comments have done the same. It only takes one time. I am just glad it wasn't more serious injuries.
Posted by: Wow! on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Are all you posters here lawyers or just a bunch of goofs with nothing to do?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:13 PM
She is so lucky she isn't dead. Totally not her fault, but I know if my car stalled on the interstate I'd be running off to the side and calling 911. It's bound to be hit, whether the other driver is drunk or not, and if HE had been killed (and wasn't drunk) she could be sued.
Posted by: kimberly on Aug 28, 2008 at 04:09 PM
yes this stinks she shouldnt been pushing her car and he shouldnt of been driving drunk
Posted by: Joe on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Brandon, I bet your wishing you had skipped the bar that night.
Posted by: Bob on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I bet 500 loyal Omaha's drove by and didn'nt even bother to give her assistance other than zoom around her and flip her off for being in their way. Bet no one called the cops for her.
Posted by: CS on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Steve - Get a life. Your comment is ridiculous. Dangerous yes, but it may have caused a worse accident had she left it there. Maybe if this idiot wasn't drunk, he would have been alert enough to avoid hitting her. Loser.
Posted by: M on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:17 PM
I agree. We don't know what his level was for DUI. She should have been moving to the right to get to the shoulder as soon as she notice her car was having problems. There was no emergency warning to any traffic to let them know a car was stopped in the middle of the Interstate. Did she even have her emergency blinkers going? Too much we don't know. Don't blame the guy 100% as we don't know all of the situation.
Posted by: seriously on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:12 PM
What was the lady doing pushing her car on the interstate anyhow?? Seriously does she not having any common sense that traffic will not stop on the interstate? This doesn't make sense. I doubt that he hit her intentionally and it states that he swerved to get away from her.. did she happen to jump in the direction he was going as well? Brandon is not a bad guy.. this was an accident. He should not have been driving under the influence, but at the same time, someone else could've hit her just the same and the news would still be all over it. I mean really.. What was she doing in stopped in the middle lane of traffic?? She must have been absent the day common sense was handed out.
Posted by: Nancy on Aug 28, 2008 at 03:08 PM
You Murphy's Law people are nuts! Hello!! don't you think this might have been avoided if he wasn't DUI and could have made a quicker judgement. It is dangerous to drive in this city after 10:00 on any given night. The drunks come out of the cracks.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Did she come to a complete stop before she realized her car died? The article didn't say he hit the car, that should be a skill shot.
Posted by: J on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:48 PM
not his first drunk driving offense! once a loser always a LOSER! victim isnt to blame her car couldnt just be sitting in the middle of traffic she did what any of us would do and tried to move it out of the way!
Posted by: To Steve on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:45 PM
What the heck is with people always trying to put the blame back on the victim??!!! The story indicates that Brandon is facing a charge of driving under the influence. I think that fact alone is what impaired his judgement.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:31 PM
He was drunk and she was pushing a car off the interstate not much could have come out of that situation. Even someone not drunk could have hit her in that kind of situation. Put your flashers on get out of the car and call 911 that would be classified as an emergency.
Posted by: Ann on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:30 PM
2 wrongs don't make a right. Should not have pushed car, should not have drove drunk
Posted by: Marie on Aug 28, 2008 at 02:25 PM
How unlucky for the guy, he shouldn't have been drinking and driving but who would be totally prepared to get around a vehicle stalled in the middle of the interstate in a split second?
Posted by: Steve on Aug 28, 2008 at 01:45 PM
So, what was she doing pushing her car in the middle lane of the interstate? Drunk drivers or not, she was likely to get hit doing that!
Posted by: Joan on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:16 PM
A Murphy's Law situation?!? Give me a break! Brandon Richards was driving under the influence. He IS to blame. The victim is lucky she wasn't killed--so is Richards!
Posted by: B on Aug 28, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Should've read the story better! I apologize for my first comment. DUI, yeah, I think that could have been avoided.
Posted by: B on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:43 AM
This really stinks but there isn't much that can be done. I'm not going to blame anyone, this was a Murphy's Law situation.
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