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Press Release

Mission Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter was sentenced on November 8, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Donovan Dale Wright, age 49, was sentenced to 30 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, $1,524.25 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Additional restitution may apply.

Wright was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 17, 2016.  He pled guilty on August 22, 2016.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of January 30, 2016.  Wright had been drinking in Rosebud the previous evening.  At approximately 3:30 a.m., he was driving northbound on BIA Route 1 near Rosebud, South Dakota, on his way home to Mission, when he struck a pedestrian, Robin Heath Star Boy, who was walking along the highway.  Star Boy died as a result of the collision.  Wright immediately drove to the Rosebud Police Department, reported what had happened, and assisted a police officer in locating Star Boy’s body.  At the time of the collision, Wright’s blood-alcohol content was at least .150%.  The legal limit is .08%.

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk W. Albertson prosecuted the case.

Wright was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Updated November 15, 2016

Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice