Alliance Police: Juvenile’s second DUI crash sparks call for juvenile justice reform

ALLIANCE - An Alliance teenager on probation for a previous DUI was arrested early Saturday after crashing into a parked pickup truck and driving away, according to the Alliance Police Department.

Police said the crash occurred shortly after midnight Saturday, Nov. 1, on Potash Avenue. The juvenile, whose name was not released, allegedly struck a parked vehicle before continuing to the intersection of Fourth Street and Grand Avenue. The driver’s parents later contacted authorities and reported their child had been drinking.

A DUI investigation found the juvenile’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.215 - more than twice Nebraska’s legal limit of 0.08. The teen was cited for driving under the influence, second offense; driving under the influence with a BAC over 0.15; leaving the scene of an accident; minor in possession of alcohol; refusal of a preliminary breath test; open container; and willful reckless driving.

Despite the severity of the charges, police said the juvenile probation officer determined the case did not meet criteria for detention, and officers were required to release the teen to their parents.

“It is extremely frustrating that Nebraska’s juvenile system does not allow officers to detain juvenile offenders even in cases of repeated violations that endanger the community,” Police Chief David Leavitt said in a statement. “Situations like this underscore the urgent need for an overhaul of our juvenile justice system to protect the public and hold offenders accountable.”

Leavitt said he hopes the case will prompt state officials to reexamine detention policies for repeat juvenile offenders.