Soldier Pleads No Contest In Fatal Chase

A Fort Riley soldier faces up to 41 years in prison after pleading no contest to charges in a fatal, wrong-way chase on Interstate 70.

22-year-old Gary Fisher Nelson, of Junction City, will be sentenced Nov. 12. The Geary County prosecutor’s office says Nelson pleaded no contest last week to second-degree murder and reckless driving.

Authorities said Nelson intentionally drove the wrong way on I-70 the night of April 3. A sport utility vehicle that tried to avoid a head-on collision went off the highway and rolled over, killing 53-year-old passenger Jake Black of Manhattan.

A Highway Patrol trooper continued chasing Nelson at speeds of up to 100 mph before the soldier surrendered after several miles.

Investigators said Nelson told them and others he had planned to commit suicide.

Associated Press information from: WIBW-TV.