University of Nebraska Regent and Douglas County deputy attorney Elizabeth O’Connor has been charged with felony DUI after a head-on crash in May left another person with life-threatening injuries.
KLIN media partner 10/11 Now reports that O’Connor, 34, was charged in Douglas County Court with DUI causing serious bodily injury, a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Her blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.321%—more than four times the legal limit—following the May 21 crash, according to court documents.
Authorities say O’Connor was driving a 2024 Subaru Outback eastbound near 63rd and Blondo streets around 8:30 p.m. when she crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2013 Ford Focus. A front-seat passenger in the other vehicle sustained a broken back and pelvis and was transported to Nebraska Medicine. O’Connor was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Responding officers reported finding a half-empty bottle of Fireball Whisky inside O’Connor’s vehicle, according to an affidavit.
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said the case was quickly transferred to the Omaha city prosecutor’s office due to a conflict of interest. O’Connor remains employed in the civil division of the county attorney’s office.
In a statement, the University of Nebraska said it is “deeply saddened by the events” involving Regent O’Connor and extended its well wishes to all those impacted.
O’Connor was elected to the Board of Regents in 2018. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 9.