Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Crash

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota woman has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from accusations that she caused a fatal crash when she was using her cellphone while driving on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The office of the U.S. Attorney in South Dakota on Wednesday said 26-year-old Sophia Janis entered her plea Friday. The Porcupine resident was indicted last month. She faces up to eight years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if convicted.

Authorities say Janis failed to yield to oncoming traffic at an intersection on July 30th while she was driving between Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge. Authorities say Janis was checking a website on her cellphone when the incident happened, killing a woman.

Janis's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

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