OMAHA, Neb. —The man accused of hitting and killing an Iowa woman in 2016 Omaha crash has changed his plea in the case. KETV in Omaha reports Eswin Mejia has entered a plea of guilty to a charge of Failure to Appear, and No Contest to a charge of Motor Vehicle Homicide, in connection with the death of 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was a recent college graduate studying forensics.

Prosecutors said Mejia caused the crash that killed the young woman in January, 2026 near 33rd and L streets in 2016.  Authorities said Mejia was driving drunk and street racing when he rear-ended Root’s car at a stoplight. Mejia, who was in the country illegally, was not put on an immigration hold. He posted $5,000 of his bond and vanished.

Prosecutors said his blood alcohol level was 0.179%, and at the time of impact, he was driving 71 mph while Root was traveling at 3 mph. She was coming to a stop near 33rd and L streets.

Mejia is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 12. He faces up to 20 years in prison for motor vehicle homicide and two years in prison for flight to avoid arrest.