FUNK, Neb. – A tragic three-vehicle crash in Phelps County earlier this month has resulted in criminal charges against Brock Schneider, 35, of Axtell, according to authorities. Schneider faces multiple serious charges, including three counts of motor vehicle homicide-DUI, three counts of manslaughter, and one count of second-degree assault in connection with the Aug. 15, 2025, crash at the intersection of Highway 6 and T Road in Funk.
Phelps County Attorney Corey O’Brien noted that under Nebraska law, a defendant cannot be convicted of both motor vehicle homicide and manslaughter for the same act. The determination of which charges Schneider will ultimately be convicted on will rest with a jury.
Details of the Crash
According to an arrest affidavit, a Phelps County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the scene at approximately 9:45 p.m. on August 15. The crash involved three vehicles, two of which were engulfed in flames with individuals trapped inside.
Investigators determined that Schneider was driving a 2011 Ford F250 pickup southbound on T Road at a high rate of speed when he struck the back of a Chevy Silverado, which was occupied by three individuals. Both vehicles then crossed through the intersection and collided with a third vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, traveling on Highway 6.
The impact caused all three vehicles to come to rest on T Road, south of the highway. The Chevy Silverado and Ford F250 caught fire due to a ruptured gas tank on the Silverado. Tragically, all three occupants of the Silverado were killed:
- Wallace Martin, 67, of Holdrege
- Randall Franklin, 36, of Funk
- Justin Mason, 34, of Arapahoe
Preliminary autopsy results revealed that Martin and Franklin died from blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen, while Mason suffered blunt force trauma to the head.
The driver of the Chevy Suburban, 35-year-old Alyssa Kahle of Minden, was partially ejected from her vehicle and suffered extensive injuries, including severe burns, a broken femur, humerus, multiple broken ribs, and fractures to her orbital area, left eye, and forehead. She was airlifted from the scene for emergency treatment.
Investigation and Arrest
Schneider was initially transported to Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege following the crash. Deputies found evidence in the Ford F250, including a burned can on the passenger floorboard. During questioning at the hospital, Schneider reportedly admitted to consuming three to four beers within two hours of the crash.
He was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Phelps County Jail. Bond has been set at $200,000, with 10% required for release. His next court appearance is scheduled for 8 a.m. on September 3.
In addition to the homicide and manslaughter charges, Schneider faces one count of second-degree assault, a Class IIA felony, for the injuries sustained by Kahle in the Suburban.
Potential Penalties
If convicted of either motor vehicle homicide or manslaughter, along with the assault charge, Schneider could face up to 80 years in prison. Authorities also noted a potential 15-year revocation of driving privileges as part of sentencing, highlighting the severity of the crash and the devastating consequences of impaired driving.
This crash has left a lasting impact on the community, claiming the lives of three residents and seriously injuring another. Investigators continue to review all evidence as the case moves through the legal system, emphasizing the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence.
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