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WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — An Arizona woman accused of negligence in a crash that killed three men in the North Dakota oil patch will serve about three months in jail.
Kayla Ciha, 21, of Tucson, who was working at a preschool in Williston, was accused of causing a July 2015 crash on a McKenzie County road while trying to pass in a no-passing zone. Men from three states died: Jerold Bailey, 22, of Watford City, North Dakota; Jason Shelton, 30, of Rigby, Idaho; and Adam Brown, 27, of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Ciha, who wasn't hurt, was charged with three felony counts of negligent homicide and a misdemeanor charge of aggravated reckless driving. State District Judge Robin Schmidt in March rejected a plea deal that called for Ciha to spend only one day in jail, instead giving her the option of pleading guilty without the benefit of a deal or facing trial.
Ciha pleaded guilty late last week without a plea deal and was sentenced to 100 days in jail. Ciha wept throughout the hearing that was attended by members of the victims' families, the Williston Herald reported.
Schmidt said she believed Ciha's actions demanded "serious consequences."
"Nothing I can say or do will ease the pain of losing these three young men or lessen the hurt for the surviving victims, but I still believe a price has to be paid," Schmidt said in ordering jail time, three years of probation, 100 hours of community service and $1,100 in court fees.
If Ciha successfully completes the terms, the felony charges will be reduced to misdemeanors on her record, according to court documents.
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