OMAHA — The father of three children injured in a crash involving a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents called on the elected representative to resign during a meeting on Friday.
Ricoh Mountain, whose three young daughters were riding in the backseat of a vehicle allegedly struck by Regent Elizabeth O’Connor in May, said the university official should step down.
O’Connor, 34, was driving east on Blondo Street at approximately 8:30 p.m. on May 21 when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle carrying five passengers, Omaha police said.
The collision resulted in Mountain’s mother-in-law suffering a broken back and pelvis, he told the board during Friday’s public comment period, and resulted in minor injuries to his children. His mother-in-law remains hospitalized.
Police found a half-empty bottle of Fireball whisky in O’Connor’s vehicle, according to court records, and the former Douglas County deputy attorney’s blood alcohol level registered at 0.321, which is four times the legal limit.
O’Connor was charged with felony DUI causing serious bodily injury in August, more than two months after the May crash — which Mountain said would not have happened for others in the community.
“Ask yourself, had that been me would it have taken two months to file any formal charges?” asked Mountain, who is Black. “And would I be back to my job on Monday making decisions for the youth?
“This incident raises significant concerns about her professional judgment and her ability to continue serving the public in legal and education capacities as a trusted figure in this community,” he added.
Another woman, Carolyn Folsom, addressed O’Connor directly, saying she represented a risk to the community.
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“You are a disgrace to this board, you are a disgrace to this community,” Folsom said. “Do us all a favor and resign. You should absolutely be ashamed of yourself.”
Members of the audience applauded after both Mountain and Folsom concluded their remarks.
But another Omaha man who spoke during Friday’s meeting offered O’Connor his support, saying it would be “premature and unfair” for her to be removed from office before her case is concluded.
“We’ve long recognized the principle of innocent until proven guilty,” said Joseph Neary. “To disregard that principle now would set a dangerous precedent punishing individuals not based on evidence or conviction, but on the mere existence of an accusation.
Neary said O’Connor would be held accountable at the appropriate time.
O’Connor declined to comment on the statements delivered during the regents’ meeting.
Friday marked the first time O’Connor’s status as a regent has been addressed during a board meeting. Board members have voiced support for O’Connor, and Gov. Jim Pillen, a former regent, has said the charges are serious but that she was innocent until proven guilty.
O’Connor was first elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents representing District 4 in 2018 and was reelected in 2024. O’Connor’s district encompasses Omaha roughly east of 72nd Street and north of Harrison Street.
In August, the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, where O’Connor was a prosecutor and where she had worked since February 2020, said she is no longer employed there.
In September, Omaha state Sen. Kathleen Kauth said she is considering filing articles of impeachment against O’Connor when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com.
On Bluesky @chrisdunker.bsky.social
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Chris Dunker
Higher education/statehouse reporter
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