Browning woman sentenced for death of pedestrian

GREAT FALLS—A Browning woman convicted of involuntary manslaughter for hitting and killing a pedestrian while driving 90 mph on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $3,500 restitution, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

After a three-day trial in March, a jury convicted Shayanna Marie England, 21, of involuntary manslaughter.

U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The prosecution presented evidence at trial that England had been drinking and driving throughout the night of Jan. 15, 2018 when she veered into the oncoming southbound lane on BIA Route 1, near the post office, and turned back, striking the victim. The victim, who had been with England and others earlier in the night, had been standing in the northbound land near an intersection.  The victim was carried on top England’s vehicle as it left the roadway and crashed into a ditch. The victim was transported to the Indian Health Services Clinic in Browning where he died from injuries.

An investigation determined that England’s vehicle was traveling at approximately 90 mph on a road with a posted speed limit of 35 mph.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Montana Highway Patrol.

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