Man Sentenced in Fatal New Salem Crash

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An Almont man charged with felony negligent homicide in the death of a mail carrier in southwestern North Dakota has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and been sentenced.

The Bismarck Tribune reports 21-year-old Ernest Borntrager will spend six months on electronic monitoring for misdemeanor reckless endangerment.

Borntrager was accused in the death of 66-year-old Martha Kautzman, who was critically injured in a July 7, 2013, crash on N.D. Highway 31 north of New Salem and died of her injuries about two weeks later.

Authorities alleged Borntrager was speeding and pulling a trailer that did not have functioning brakes. Borntrager disputed the speeding allegation but took responsibility for the crash.