Fort Thompson woman faces involuntary manslaughter charge

FORT THOMPSON (AP) — A 20-year-old South Dakota woman faces an involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of a passenger in a vehicle she allegedly was driving.

Leigha Koster is accused of drinking and driving and fleeing from a Crow Creek tribal officer on Saturday night. Authorities say the chase ended when Koster's vehicle rolled near Fort Thompson, ejecting 21-year-old Louis Herman, who died. A 15-year-old female passenger survived.

Koster also is known as Leigha Tapio. She faces up to eight years in prison if convicted. Her public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

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