Florida man charged with motor vehicle homicide in Nebraska crash that killed unborn child

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Florida man is facing several felonies in connection with a crash 12 miles west of Wilber last month.

The Melbourne native — 39-year-old Alberto Martinez Sandoval — is charged with motor vehicle homicide of an unborn child, second-degree assault of a pregnant woman and willful reckless driving.

Martinez Sandoval is also facing several citations, including using a handheld wireless communication device while operating a commercial vehicle.

According to the arrest affidavit, the crash between a semi truck and an SUV happened just before 1 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the intersection of Nebraska highways 41 and 15.

When Deputy Patrick Meister arrived, the semi was stuck in a ditch and a woman was trapped in the SUV on its top, the affidavit said.

The woman said she was pregnant and due to give birth later that month, according to the affidavit.

Meister said the woman was flown to Bryan West in Lincoln, where her unborn child died.

Based on witness statements and investigation of the scene, Martinez Sandoval and the woman were both driving south on Highway 15.

The woman slowed down to make a left turn onto Highway 41, but Martinez Sandoval didn’t slow down and hit the SUV.

According to the affidavit, the SUV was pushed “several hundred feet” into the ditch before coming to a rest on its top.

Martinez Sandoval was initially arrested on suspicion of willful reckless driving, before learning of the child’s death later that evening.

He ended up posting bond and returned to Florida.

His arraignment is scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. in Saline County.