(AP) — A Nebraska prison inmate has waived his right to an arraignment and agreed to forego a preliminary hearing.

Jeremy Dobbe made his first court appearance Thursday since being charged with manslaughter in the death of 47-year-old Joyce Meeks.

Meeks died June 25 when a state-owned van driven by Dobbe crashed into her minivan in Lincoln.

By waiving his right to an arraignment, Dobbe didn’t hear about the charge or possible penalties. By foregoing the preliminary hearing, he opted not to challenge whether prosecutors had enough evidence to charge him.

Defense lawyer DeAnn Stover declined to comment.

Although Dobbe was imprisoned for methamphetamine possession, he was allowed to drive other inmates to work-release assignments when the crash occurred.

The state has ended the prison-driver program.