Lincoln man jailed for aggressive driving in west Lincoln

Rudy Requejo Ybarra was sentenced to four years’ probation, but Lancaster County District Judge Andrew Jacobsen ruled Monday that he had violated probation by being caught driving while intoxicated twice.

Deputy Public Defender Brittani Lewit said Ybarra turned to alcohol to cope with his son’s death, but he has made significant progress since beginning treatment and counseling.

Ybarra said he made poor decisions and handled the situation in an unhealthy way, driving twice and getting arrested twice.

Jacobsen said he understands that recidivism happens and he might have been able to continue his probation if it had only happened once. But he couldn’t ignore two cases of drunken driving, he said.

“Probation must have a purpose,” said the judge.

He also revoked Ybarra’s probation but gave him the opportunity to apply for house arrest before beginning the remainder of his sentence, with about 50 more days credited toward the time he has already served.

Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brown said the significance lies in the fact that Ybarra frightened and traumatized a random, innocent person on the afternoon of November 7, 2022.

According to Lincoln police, Ybarra was driving alongside a 19-year-old man who was trying to get into his lane as they approached the exit ramp at Interstate 80 and U.S. 6. When the teen – who was traveling with his wife and young child – refused to let him pass, he threatened him with a gun and followed him, saying he didn’t care that he had a child in the back seat.

Ybarra was later stopped by police and later pleaded guilty to attempted terroristic threats.