Local Court News, (Central Nebraska Today)
HOLDREGE — Case proceedings have been continued into 2026 for an Axtell man who is charged with three counts of motor vehicle homicide after a fiery crash near Funk.
Brock Schneider, 35, has been charged with three counts of manslaughter, each a Class 2A felony, three counts of motor vehicle homicide – DUI, each a Class 2A felony and second-degree assault, Class 2A felony.
Schneider has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A pre-trial hearing had been set for Dec. 10, but after a motion for continuance, Phelps County District Court Judge Morgan Farquhar set the new hearing date for Jan. 14, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Schneider has posted bail in the amount of $18,000.
The case stems from a fiery multi-vehicle accident that took place near the intersection of Highway 6/34 and Roat T in Phelps County during the evening of Aug. 15, 2025.
“The three Counts of Motor Vehicle Homicide and three Counts of Manslaughter are being sought in connection to the deaths of the three adult male occupants found deceased in the Chevy Silverado pickup that caught fire as a result of the accident. These three victims were previously identified as Wallace Martin 67, of Holdrege, Randall Franklin 36, of Funk, Justin Mason 34, of Arapahoe,” according to the Phelps County Attorney’s Office.
“Under Nebraska law, Mr. Schneider cannot be found guilty of both Motor Vehicle Homicide and Manslaughter so it will ultimately be up to a judge or jury to decide which, if any, of these two alternatives is best supported by the evidence presented by the State at trial,” per the Phelps County Attorney’s Office.
“The Assault in the 2nd Degree charge is being sought in connection with the injuries sustained by the driver of the GMC Suburban involved in the same incident. The driver of this vehicle was previously identified as Alyssa Kahle, 35, of Minden,” per the Phelps County Attorney’s Office.
Schneider could face up to 80 years imprisonment as well as a possible 15-year revocation of his driving privileges.
