A man responsible for a drunk-driving crash that killed a 9-year-old Lenexa boy has pleaded guilty to two felony charges.
On Friday in Johnson County District Court, Matthew Jacobo, of Kansas City, Kansas, entered guilty pleas to one count of reckless second-degree murder and another count of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.
Two additional misdemeanor charges, possession of a firearm while driving under the influence and possession of drugs, were dismissed.
Judge Timothy McCarthy is presiding over the case.
Jacobo is accused of driving under the influence at a high rate of speed when his pickup truck hit a Honda Accord near the intersection of Johnson Drive and Bell Road in Shawnee, killing 9-year-old Nolan Davidson.
The crash occurred in December
The crash happened on the evening of Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in the westbound lanes of Johnson Drive, approximately 500 feet west of Maurer Road.
Recorded radio traffic from that evening states that a 911 caller reported a pickup truck was driving at an estimated 80 miles per hour when it hit the Accord, according to a previous Johnson County Post report.
After the crash, Jacobo ran from his truck. He was eventually tracked down by a police K-9 and arrested.
Since his arrest, Jacobo reached a settlement in May with Nolan’s parents, Aaron and Ashlee Davidson, that covered economic and property damages, as well as “mental anguish, conscious emotional pain and suffering and loss of relationship and companionship” with their son, according to court documents.
Tributes, benefits continue in Nolan’s name
Following Nolan Davidson’s death, numerous tributes and fundraisers have been held in his name.
A GoFundMe online fundraiser to help pay for medical costs raised more than $166,000.
Shortly after the crash involving Nolan, hundreds of people showed up at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa for a benefit walk/run in Nolan’s honor.
In May, Christa McAuliffe Elementary in the Shawnee Mission School District, where Nolan attended school, dedicated the school’s new garden in Nolan’s memory.
“Nolan Davidson was a third grader at Christa McAuliffe and embodied all the great things our school and community stands for,” Michael Orr, principal at Christa McAuliffe Elementary, said in a previous interview.
A run is scheduled in Nolan’s name in KC
On Dec. 7, Children’s Mercy Park — home stadium for Sporting KC — will host the first Nolan Davidson Champions Run, a family-friendly event that offers races for all ability levels, including a 5k, 10k, and 1.10 mile run.
“Nolan Davidson Champion’s Run is an inaugural race established to celebrate Nolan Davidson and the spirit of competition and determination in which he lived his life,” a description for the race stated.
Proceeds from the event will go toward the Nolan Davidson Foundation, in partnership with KC Fusion Soccer Club, where Nolan played soccer, to provide youth soccer scholarships.
What’s next
Jacobo will be sentenced by Judge McCarthy on Jan. 7.
Go deeper: Community rallies to honor Lenexa boy killed in crash — ‘Be like Nolan’
