Man pleads no contest in traffic fatality

The 23-year-old Lawrence man involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident on West Sixth Street earlier this year pleaded no contest this morning in Douglas County District Court to involuntary manslaughter and his second DUI offense.

Adan S. Cruz struck and killed 25-year-old Jodie Hatzenbihler as she was crossing west Sixth Street outside The Ranch in the early morning hours of April 9.

Cruz had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 — nearly twice the legal limit.

His sentencing is set for Aug. 16.