Driver in Crash That Killed Mitchell Boy Acknowledges Guilt

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — The driver in the crash that killed a 14-year-old boy in Mitchell in June has acknowledged her guilt after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

KORN-AM reports Karla Martinez, of Mitchell, admitted in court Tuesday that on June 25 she drove a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and got into a wreck.

Martinez says she drank numerous mixed drinks before her sports utility vehicle rolled in the ditch off a gravel road west of Mitchell. Records show her blood alcohol level was 0.148 when the crash happened.

The fatal victim was a front-seat passenger. Three other boys sitting in the backseat suffered minor injuries.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss various charges as part of the deal. Martinez now faces up to 15 years in prison for a vehicular homicide charge.

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