David Johnson Sentenced For Negligent Vehicular Homicide Regarding Fatal Collision At 5th And Main Street In Sheridan

A Sheridan man who admitted to hitting and killing an Australian woman with his vehicle at a major intersection north of downtown Sheridan will be spending time behind bars.

David Johnson was sentenced to one year in jail, with all but 60 days suspended, followed by 1 year of probation, after he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of vehicular homicide.

According to court documents, in late May 2025, Johnson hit and killed 65-year old Julie Fitzsimons with the vehicle he was driving, while he was making a right turn from West 5th Street to North Main Street.

Criminal law states that a misdemeanor charge of vehicular homicide, would indicate that Johnson was driving negligently, and not in an aggressive or reckless manner, which are the conditions needed in order for the charge to be a felony.

At the sentencing hearing, Johnson’s defense through an accident reconstruction specialist, argued that with the way the southwest corner of intersection is setup, combined with the angle of the sun at the time, that it was possible that either Johnson, Fitzsimons, or both didn’t see each other until it was too late.

Johnson’s speed was estimated to be 10 miles per hour at most.

The prosecution countered saying that was no excuse, and that Fitzsimons had the right of way to cross through the cross walk.

Video from a nearby home security system showed that the traffic light was green for traffic on 5th Street, and had just turned green, meaning Fitzsimons had a walk light on.

Johnson will not be eligible for work-release while he is serving his time in jail.

A hearing regarding restitution for Fitzsimons’ family will be set for a later date.