Driver arrested in crash that killed UNL band member appears in court

The driver of the vehicle that struck another vehicle and killed a UNL band member on Oct. 26 appeared in court Friday afternoon.

LPD said Waltrivelish Watson was going roughly 92 mph before striking a vehicle near 10th and Arapahoe. He was arrested for motor vehicle homicide on Thursday morning.

The crash killed 20-year-old Tyler Butterfield, a University of Nebraska band member from Norfolk, Nebraska.

Watson made his first court appearance Friday, and was given a public defender.

His bond was set at 10 percent of $50,000, and the judge ordered him to not operate a motor vehicle at any time.

Lincoln Police said they can confirm Watson was traveling 88 mph five seconds before the crash and 92 mph three seconds before the crash.

LPD added he was traveling 59 mph at impact. The area is a 40 mph zone.

A witness also told police they saw Watson going over 80 mph in the Dodge Charger near 9th and South streets prior to the accident.

Butterfield was a Norfolk native and junior accounting major at UNL.

UNL lists Butterfield as a trumpeter in the Cornhusker Marching Band.

According to the UNL Bands Facebook page, the group performed at Robbers Cave Friday evening, before the crash.

Watson is scheduled for another court appearance on Dec. 6.