A 49-year-old Mission man, Donovan Dale Wright, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter after striking and killing a pedestrian while driving drunk on BIA Route 1 near Rosebud, South Dakota.
Wright, who had been drinking heavily the night before, was driving northbound at approximately 3:30 a.m. on January 30, 2016, when he slammed into Robin Heath Star Boy, who was walking along the highway. Star Boy died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision. Wright’s blood-alcohol content tested at least .150% — nearly double the legal limit of .08%.
After the crash, Wright fled the scene but later drove himself to the Rosebud Police Department, reported the incident, and helped officers locate Star Boy’s body. Despite this cooperation, federal prosecutors emphasized the recklessness of his actions, citing impaired judgment and criminal negligence as central to the case.
Indicted by a federal grand jury on February 17, 2016, Wright ultimately pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter on August 22, 2016. On November 8, 2016, U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the 30-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and $1,524.25 in restitution — with potential for additional payments.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services led the investigation into the fatal crash, underscoring the jurisdictional complexities of crimes committed on tribal land. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk W. Albertson prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government, which retains authority over major felonies in Indian Country.
Immediately following sentencing, Wright was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service. The case stands as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk driving, especially on remote and poorly lit tribal highways where pedestrians often have no safe walking alternative.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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