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A Nederland man faces a cap of up to 15 years in prison in the 2021 death of a local woman who was thrown from a moving vehicle.

Lonnie Rogers, 51, was set for trial in the death of Madison Martinez, 27, in Judge John Stevens’ criminal district court Tuesday. Rogers opted to make the guilty plea just before a jury was selected, according to information from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

On Oct. 15, 2021 Madison Martinez, 27, was in the company of Rogers at the Fuel depot in the 3700 block of Lake Arthur Drive. Surveillance video showed a Dodge truck leave the parking lot quickly and Martinez either coming out of or off the driver side of the truck and onto the roadway.

Martinez was located in the westbound lane at the intersection of Lake Arthur Drive and Ninth Avenue. She had a head injury and was brought to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont where she died the next day.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Rogers and he turned himself in to law enforcement.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled as of Wednesday afternoon.