Arkansas Man Sentenced In Hit-And-Run Death Of Bicyclist Thursday

Adam Cooper was sentenced after being found guilty of 3 counts, including two felonies.

An Arkansas man charged after a hit-and-run last year has been sentenced in Cherry County to prison time.

Adam Cooper, age 36 was arrested after authorities found Larry Covalciuc, age 82 of Council Bluffs on the shoulder off of Highway 20 just west of Valentine during a Tour de Nebraska event.

Cooper was charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide as well as leaving the scene of an accident, both of which are felonies, and also charged with misdemeanor reckless driving.

On August 15^th (FRIDAY), the court heard emotional testimony on both sides, including a tearful plea for leniency by Cooper, stating that he would agree to never be behind the wheel of a vehicle again, stating that this event haunts him daily.

The judge stated that there would be many factors influencing his decision in the sentencing including the medical condition and vision problems that Cooper suffers from, as well as knowing that incarceration would entail hardship to the family and dependents including his wife, a stay-at-home mother, and his two children. 

The judge also stated that he was appalled that anyone whose vision was as limited as Coopers would be issued a drivers license in the first place. 

Ultimately, the judge sentenced Cooper to one month incarceration on the first count, 18 months imprisonment on the second count, and 12 months on the 3^rd count, all to be served concurrently.  He was also sentenced to 9 months of supervision following his prison term.

Cooper was immediately remanded into custody following sentencing.