The Kansas man who pled guilty to the fatal drunk driving accident in April that claimed the life of a young Alliance woman is headed to prison for a long time.
      Box Butte County District Court Travis O’Gorman sentenced Ryan McElroy of Salinas to 45-to-50 years in the death of 22-year-old Blythe Boness
     McElroy pled guilty to Motor Vehicle Homicide with a Prior DUI. Under good time rules, he will be eligible for parole in 22-½ years and for mandatory release in 25 years.
McElroy was originally charged with motor vehicle homicide, but prosecutors increased the charges to both manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide with a prior DUI conviction. A plea agreement was later worked out.
The Nebraska State Patrol investigation show McElroy was westbound on Hwy 2 about 2:10 pm when his car hit the small eastbound SUV driven by Boness. The SUV rolled into the ditch and Boness was ejected. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Alliance Fire Department had to use specialized equipment to extricate McElroy from his car before he was flown to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. He was taken into custody after being released from the hospital.
Blythe was such a wonderful girl. This just breaks my heart so bad. She was one of the first people I met when I moved to Chadron. I wish to meet the love of her life, Bailey someday. She always glowed when she spoke about that guy at The Ridge.