Sheridan man charged with vehicular homicide changes plea to guilty

SHERIDAN (WNE) — The man who struck and killed pedestrian 65-year-old Julie Fitzsimons on May 28, 2025 changed his plea to guilty in Sheridan County Circuit Court Wednesday.

David Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor homicide by vehicle per a plea agreement document.

In exchange for a plea of guilty, the prosecution and defense recommended a sentence of 365 days in jail with all but 60 of those days suspended. After the 60 days are served, Johnson will be placed on one year of probation.

Though Johnson accepted the plea agreement established by attorneys, Sheridan County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bunting still has the option to accept the terms or deviate from the proposed agreement, based on a pre-sentence investigation.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled yet. 

According to previous reporting by The Sheridan Press, Johnson was turning right onto North Main Street across from the Rib and Chop House when he struck Fitzsimons with his vehicle. Fitzsimons was visiting from Australia and died from her blunt force trauma injuries.

During arraignment in 4th Judicial Circuit Court July 1, 2025 Johnson appeared by himself and was read his charges — both misdemeanors — and pleaded not guilty to both.

A $5,000 unsecured bond was set during arraignment.

Misdemeanor homicide by vehicle is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of $2,000 or both. Failure to yield to pedestrians is a citation that is punishable by a fine of $150.

“There is no reason to believe this was alcohol related,” Sheridan County Prosecuting Attorney Dianna Bennett said during arraignment last year.

This story was published on Feb. 6, 2026.