Kansas City, Kansas, man sentenced after 2023 crash that killed Lenexa 9-year-old
A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for his role in a 2023 crash that killed a 9-year-old Lenexa boy.
Matthew Jacobo, 26, pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, both felonies, in Johnson County court in November 2024. Jacobo was sentenced to a total of 136 months in prison on both charges. He was initially also charged with drug possession and using a firearm under the influence, both misdemeanors.
The crash took place Dec. 1, 2023, near Johnson Drive and Bell Road in Shawnee. Nine-year-old Nolan Davidson and his family were driving between two basketball games when Jacobo’s white truck struck their black sedan.
Davidson was seriously injured and died at Children’s Mercy Hospital on Dec. 7. Jacobo attempted to flee the scene of the crash, according to police, but was arrested after a K-9 helped locate him.
The Davidson family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jacobo in April 2024. The two parties settled outside of court for an undisclosed sum in May, according to court records.
Nolan Eugene Davidson was in third grade at Christa McAuliffe Elementary in Lenexa at the time of his death, according to an obituary shared online. He loved reading and sports, including golf, fishing, running, soccer and basketball. He was captain of his age group team at KC Fusion Soccer Club and played youth basketball with the DeSoto Thunder, both of whom retired his jersey number after his death.
“His quick smile, easy laugh and warm and infectious personality will never be forgotten and will never be replaced,” his obituary reads.
He is survived by his his parents and sister, along with extended family members.
Previous reporting by Robert A. Cronkleton, Nathan Pilling and Noelle Alviz-Gransee contributed to this article.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM.
