Officials have upgraded charges against an Iowa man after a second person has died following a collision on Nebraska Highway 36 two weeks ago. According to our sister station KNOD, 28-year old Tony Kenkel, of Earling, is now charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide. Kenkel waived his preliminary hearing and will stand trial in the case. The man had posted $10,000, or 10 percent of $100,000 bond to be released from jail on Oct. 17th. Last Friday, prosecutor Ryan Lindberg asked that Kenkel’s bail amount be increased to $250,000, but Douglas County, NE. Judge Sheryl Lohaus decided to keep it at $100,000.
Authorities have said Kenkel had a blood-alcohol level of .091 at the scene of the collision near Lake Cunningham Park Road. Two and a half hours later, his blood-alcohol level tested at .08, the legal limit. Kenkel was driving a 2017 Chevy Silverado east on Highway 36 when the pickup crossed the center line and entered westbound traffic, officials said. Kenkel struck a 1995 Mitsubishi 3000 GT head on — killing the driver, 21 year old Joseph Daniels, of Council Bluffs, at the scene. 21 year old Thomas Greise, a passenger, had been in a medically induced coma until he was taken off life support on Monday. Kenkel has no prior criminal record other than speeding tickets. He’s part of the 24/7 sobriety program that requires check-ins in Omaha twice a day. Kenkel does that by commuting an hour each way from Earling.