A man responsible for a drunk-driving crash that killed a 9-year-old Lenexa boy will serve more than 11 years in prison.
On Thursday in Johnson County District Court, Matthew Jacobo, 26, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced to a total of 136 months in prison for reckless second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.
The sentence was handed down by Judge Timothy McCarthy.
At the sentencing, Jacobo said he accepted the consequences of his actions and has started attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings since the crash, according to KCTV5.
Jacobo pleaded guilty to the charges in November. He was 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.
Davidson’s parents, Aaron and Ashlee Davidson, said they had no comment on the sentencing, an advocate for the family said when reached by the Johnson County Post last week.
The crash occurred in December 2023
The crash happened on the evening of 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.
After the crash, Jacobo ran from his truck. He was eventually tracked down by a police K-9 unit and arrested.
In May 2024, Jacobo reached a civil settlement 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.
Davidson’s death triggered community support
Following Davidson’s death, the family saw numerous tributes and fundraisers held in their son’s name.
In December, on the anniversary of Nolan’s death, more than 1,500 people participated in the first Nolan Davidson Champions Run outside Children’s Mercy Park, the home stadium of Sporting KC.
A GoFundMe online fundraiser to help pay for medical costs raised more than $167,000.
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.
The family has thanked people for their support
At the Champions Run, Aaron Davidson expressed how much the support meant to his family.
“Last year, Dec. 7 was one of the darkest days,” Aaron Davidson said to the crowd before the race. “Today’s bittersweet, but it’s really sweet and it’s just awesome. Thank you for putting your love and your kindness into action by showing up here today.”
At Nolan’s funeral in December 2023, Aaron Davidson said the best way to pay homage to Nolan’s life and legacy is to live like he did.
“I would ask that everyone honor his spirit: Be a great teammate. Be a great classmate. Be coachable. Be a great friend. Be a great parent. Be a great brother or sister. Be a great coach. Be compassionate. Be grateful. Be faithful. Be good, be nice, work hard and be humble. And be like Nolan,” he said.
Go deeper: Community rallies to honor Lenexa boy killed in crash — ‘Be like Nolan’
