Lincoln man pleads no contest in crash that killed Ceresco Officer Ross Bartlett

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Lincoln man pleaded no contest to a felony charge on Wednesday in the crash that killed a Ceresco police officer last year.

Tony Pierce, 51, entered a no-contest plea to a felony motor vehicle homicide charge, according to court documents.  He had previously pleaded not guilty.

The crash happened on April 12, 2024, when Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett was conducting a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 77 in northern Lancaster County.

Court documents say he was in his patrol car when Pierce rear-ended it.

The impact sent Bartlett’s cruiser into the vehicle that he had pulled over.

Bartlett died later that night. Pierce and the other driver suffered minor injuries.

Investigators think phone use played a role in the crash.

Pierce’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8.

SEE ALSO: Hundreds pay their respects during Officer Ross Bartlett’s funeral procession