Minn. Man Gets Deferred Sentence In Drunken Crash In Mont.

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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A Minnesota man who pleaded guilty to negligent homicide has been given a deferred sentence and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.

Lucas Keith Johnson was arrested in May 2017 for vehicular homicide under the influence in the death of 22-year-old Morgan Lee Gaither. Johnson was driving at the time of the crash on a dirt road in Montana. Gaither was ejected from the car.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that Gaither's family approved of the plea agreement and asked a judge to be merciful at Friday's sentencing hearing.

The three-year deferred sentence could eventually be removed from his record.

Johnson, who is 24, apologized to Gaither's family. He admitted that he had been drinking before going on a drive with Gaither and two other friends.