SIDNEY -- A six-person jury trial convened Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Cheyenne County Court regarding Curtis W. Strausser on the charge of Motor Vehicle Homicide, a Class I misdemeanor.  

He faces up to one year incarceration, $1,000 fine or both.

The prosecution presented seven witnesses. The witnesses included law enforcement officers from the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office and Sidney Police Department, two first responders, and another. The State rested its case on Monday afternoon. The trial continued into Tuesday. The Court ordered a pre-sentence investigation report and scheduled Sentencing for 9 am. Sept. 24, 2024. 

The defense called the defendant to the stand. The jury then found him guilty on Tuesday morning, August 20. The complaint alleged that on June 19, 2023, Strausser, of Sidney, was driving a 2014 Ford Focus south on Link 17J and attempted to turn east onto Jennifer Lane when the car struck a northbound 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Garrett Tvrs, 33, of Sidney. 

Tvrs was transported by ambulance to Sidney Regional Medical Center and passed away from his injuries at 6:25 p.m. Strausser was transported to the hospital by law enforcement after consenting to a blood draw to determine blood alcohol content.

In 2023, Strausser was cited for Improper Lane Turn, Failure to Yield and misdemeanor Motor Vehicle Homicide.