A jury has convicted Dr. Mark Carlson of manslaughter in the 2023 crash that killed 22-year-old Anna Bosma. The verdict was reached Thursday, and Carlson now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Deadly Crash on Dodge Street
Investigators say Carlson, in his early 60s, was racing another driver in September 2023 when he lost control of his high-performance Mercedes. The vehicle collided head-on with Bosma’s sedan near the University of Nebraska at Omaha, killing her instantly.
Bosma’s boyfriend, who was in the passenger seat, survived. The couple had traveled to Omaha for a Labor Day weekend trip.
Defense and Prosecution Arguments
During the trial, Carlson’s defense team claimed he fainted before the crash and was not in control of the car, which was traveling over 100 mph. They argued that lane-assist technology had kept the vehicle on the road and suggested that the other driver involved in the race should have been on trial instead.
However, an engineer from Ford Motor Company testified that Carlson’s vehicle had its lane-assist system turned off and that crash data confirmed he was behind the wheel.
Deputy County Attorney Ryan Lindberg addressed the jury during closing arguments, stating, “There’s only one who loses control of his car and kills someone. The fact that Dr. Carlson doesn’t feel well doesn’t matter. If not for Dr. Carlson’s actions, Anna Bosma would still be alive.”
Carlson’s sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Remembering Anna Bosma
Bosma’s family and supporters were in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Her father, Justin Bosma, expressed relief.
“It’s just really nice to see justice for Anna,” he said. “And just know that the system still works.”
Her mother, Abby Bosma, described Anna as someone who truly valued her relationships.
“When she was with you, her total focus was on you,” she said. “I’ve learned so much from her, especially through this.”
Anna’s boyfriend, who survived the crash, has since enrolled in graduate school in Minnesota, specializing in city planning to help make streets safer.
“He wrote a wonderful admissions essay,” Abby Bosma shared. “At the very end, he said, ‘I am doing this for Anna.’”
The Bosma family continues to hear stories about Anna’s lasting impact.
“In the short time she had, she lived an incredible life,” Justin Bosma said.
