Mandan Man Pleads “Not Guilty” in Traffic Fatality

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A 24-year-old Mandan man accused of aggressive driving that led to the death of his passenger has pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

Jacob Seth Cook entered the not guilty plea Tuesday after a judge found probable cause to bring the case to trial. He's accused of causing the Nov. 8 traffic death of 24-year-old Joshua Leaverton of Ohio.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Officer Jeremiah Bohn was called on Tuesday to testify about witness statements and contributing factors of the accident.

Bohn said the woman driving a vehicle in front of Cook reported his pickup truck slid out of control, rolled several times and ejected the passengers after Cook attempted to pass her on a ramp. Bohn said the main cause of the accident was Cook's aggressive driving.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the trial is scheduled at the end of June.