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Oglala Woman Guilty of Manslaughter
A tragic incident on a rural highway has ended in a guilty plea. Elizabeth Red Star-Benson, 27, of Oglala, South Dakota, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a U.S. Magistrate courtroom on August 2, 2013.
According to court documents, Red Star-Benson was driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .261 on August 31, 2012. Her vehicle rolled on BIA Hwy 27 near KILI radio station in Porcupine, ejecting her four-year-old son, who later died from his traumatic injuries at the scene.
The maximum penalty for Red Star-Benson’s crime is 8 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins.
The investigation into the fatal crash was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Red Star-Benson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing. A presentence investigation has been ordered, and a sentencing date will be set.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. As the investigation and prosecution of this case come to a close, the community can only hope for justice and closure for the family of the young victim.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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