The man charged in connection with a deadly 2023 crash on Dodge Street in Omaha was sentenced to manslaughter on Thursday.
Judge Duane C. Dougherty sentenced Dr. Mark Carlson, 62, to ten to fourteen years in jail. Under Nebraska law, he will most likely be released in five years.
In February, the jury found Carlson guilty of manslaughter for the death of 22-year-old Anna Bosma from South Dakota. The conviction entailed a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail.
“The first two weeks after Anna was killed was the worst of my life. The week and a half of the trial was a very close second,” said Abigail Bosma, Anna’s mother.
Investigators claim Dr. Carlson was racing another motorist on Dodge Street in September 2023 when he lost control and collided with Bosma’s vehicle. She was killed on impact.
Bosma’s boyfriend was in the passenger seat and survived. The couple was in Omaha for a Labor Day weekend trip.
The courtroom was crowded with Bosma’s friends and family, all of whom wore shirts celebrating Anna’s legacy.
“We wanted to wear something that would identify us as a group. But Anna wasn’t a sad person. She was a very happy, vibrant person and we wanted to show that and carry on her legacy,” Bosma said.
Carlson issued a statement before his sentencing, expressing regret to the Bosma family.
“I now want to apologize to Anna’s parents, family, friends and community for her death. I am sorry for the lateness of this apology, which comes 21 months after Anna’s passing. I would give anything to change the events of Sept. 1, 2023,” said Carlson.
The family expressed relief that justice had been delivered.
“We heard both arguments, but really I think we got what we were hoping for. Felt like justice,” said Justin Bosma, Anna’s father.
“It was fair. I think it was a fair sentence. We know that no matter what happens, nothing will bring Anna back,” Abigail Bosma said.
