Nebraska Mom Gets 180 Years for Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 4
A Nebraska mother who killed four people — including her three young children — in a fiery drunk driving crash has been sentenced to up to 180 years in prison, with parole eligibility after 70 years.
Rachel Bickerstaff, 34, was sentenced Wednesday in Douglas County District Court after pleading no contest to four counts of motor vehicle homicide stemming from a horrific crash that occurred in downtown Omaha on September 27, 2024.
According to investigators, Bickerstaff was intoxicated and speeding at over 140 mph when she ran a red light and slammed into another vehicle. The crash killed 70-year-old Michael Sales, who was driving home from work, and Bickerstaff’s own children — a 5-year-old, an 18-month-old, and an 11-day-old infant.
Judge Molly Keane called the crash “incomprehensibly tragic,” saying, “The severity of this crash cannot be overestimated.” First responders were reportedly traumatized by the devastating scene.
Bickerstaff had a blood alcohol content of .216 — nearly three times the legal limit. Authorities also noted she had a prior DUI conviction and had recently been charged with assault for attacking a fellow inmate in jail.
Michael Sales’ daughter, Laura Sales, delivered an emotional statement in court. “We never got to say goodbye,” she said, through tears. “The crash was so violent, we weren’t even given the chance to see his body. Instead, we were given his ashes.”
The prosecution emphasized the long-lasting trauma of the crash, not just for the victims’ families but also for first responders. “When officers and firefighters who’ve seen so much are shaken, you know how horrifying this was,” one prosecutor said.
Bickerstaff expressed remorse in court, saying, “I wish I could take it back. I would trade my life for all the life lost.”
Though she appeared regretful, the judge ruled that her extreme recklessness and criminal history warranted a sentence that ensures she will likely never be released.
