The man responsible for causing a March 24 traffic crash in Mitchell that led to the death of a 9-year-old girl was sentenced Friday to 40 years in prison.
Michael Ray Sedlmeier, 46, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty June 12 to first-degree manslaughter and third-offense drunken driving.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to those and other charges on April 17, but changed the plea after prosecutors agreed not to recommend more than a 40-year prison sentence.
The maximum punishment for first-degree manslaughter is life in prison.
The charges stem from a crash that occurred when Sedlmeier, while driving drunk and fleeing from police, ran a stop sign at the intersection of First Avenue and Duff Street and collided with an SUV carrying six passengers.
ADVERTISEMENT
One of those passengers, Iszabella "Bella" Morgan, of Mitchell, was killed as a result of the crash.
For more on the sentencing, check with The Daily Republic website and in Saturday's edition.
