Sentencing for the Death of Millard West teen Elise Cole

A Bennington man has been sentenced to one year in jail for the fatal crash that killed 16-year-old Millard West sophomore Elise Cole. Christopher Luke, 33, was sentenced Thursday morning in front of a courtroom packed with Elise's family, friends, and community members. Luke ran a red light near 176th Avenue and Q Street on April 21, 2025, smashing into Elise's vehicle as she drove to school just blocks from her home. She died at the hospital. Luke had initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea to no contest on a charge of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide. Judge John Huber received approximately 80 letters from community members ahead of sentencing. "Some things in life cannot be solved with an apology or payment or a promise to do better in the future." — Judge John Huber Elise Cole was 16 years old. 📍 Omaha, Nebraska 🔗 Full story: https://www.wowt.com/2026/06/25/man-s... Stay with WOWT 6 News and First Alert 6 for continuing coverage. #EliseCole #MillardWest #Omaha #OmahaNews #Nebraska #NebraskaNews #FatalCrash #Sentencing #ChristopherLuke #WOWT #FirstAlert6 #Justice #TrafficSafety #BreakingNews #LocalNews