Nebraska's Lauren Cook cuts deal, might play

Yesterday, newspapers in Nebraska were reporting that it might take up to three weeks for a Lincoln judge to decide whether Nebraska setter Lauren Cook could enter a pretrial diversion program rather than face felony charges. 24 hours later, the legal system seems to be moving rather quickly. From the Lincoln Journal Star ...

Lauren Cook accepted into pretrial diversion

By CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 12:05 pm

Nebraska volleyball player Lauren Cook has been accepted into pretrial diversion, according to a news release from the Lancaster County Attorney's Office.

Cook was charged Tuesday with leaving the scene of an injury accident. On Wednesday, the case was dismissed.

Lauren Cook

Lincoln police say she sideswiped a motorcycle parked on the shoulder of Humphrey Avenue just before noon on Oct. 30 as she drove westbound toward North 14th Street.

The driver of the motorcycle, Nathan Kollars, 30, suffered a broken leg. His passenger was treated for scrapes.

Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly said Tuesday his office looked at the police incident report from the crash, which indicated she was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when her SUV hit the motorcycle. That she has a clean criminal record also was a key factor in recommending her case be dismissed to pretrial diversion, Kelly said.

If Cook fails to complete any of the requirements listed in her pretrial diversion agreement, the felony charge could be refiled.

On Tuesday, Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne said Cook -- who sat out the Huskers' two matches last weekend -- could play again once she is admitted into the diversion program.

Nebraska plays Friday at Indiana, the last-place team in the Big Ten, before facing 10th-ranked Purdue on the road Saturday.

Nebraska's Lauren Cook charged with felony, seeks deal

Nebraska setter Lauren Cook today asked a judge to allow her to avoid a felony prosecution by entering a pre-trial diversion program.

Earlier in the day, Cook was charged with a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident. On October 30, 2011, Cook was driving her parents' SUV in Lincoln, Nebraska, when it allegedly struck two people, sending one to the hospital with a broken leg. Cook's license had been previously suspended following numerous previous speeding infractions.

Cook's father is John Cook, head coach of the Nebraska Volleyball program since the 2000 season. He suspended his daughter from last weekend's Big-10 matches against Michigan and Michigan State, pending resolution of criminal charges.

The proposed pre-trial diversion program would include community service, a promise not to drive for one year, and avoiding other violations.

At a press conference in Lincoln, Lauren Cook said, in part:

"I am a firm believer that there is a reason for the events that happen in your life and there is a reason all of this happened. This has been a defining moment in my life and I'm going to use this experience and my time in diversion to become a better person, a better driver."

Lauren Cook
[WOWT.com]

Nebraska Athletic Director, Dr. Tom Osborne, also spoke at the press conference. He addressed whether Cook could return to the team this season.

"This is dependent upon entering into the pre-trial diversion at which time charges will be suspended or dropped so she would not be under charges."

NBC affliliate WOWT reports that the judge may take three weeks to decide whether or not to accept the proposed diversion plan.

See also:
Nebraska setter Lauren Cook arrested after car accident
John Cook/Lauren Cook: When a dad coaches his daughter