N.D. Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Devils Lake Boat Crash

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) — A Grand Forks man accused in a fatal boat crash on Devils Lake has pleaded guilty.

Court documents show 54-year-old Thomas Burns pleaded guilty Thursday to felony manslaughter, three counts of felony reckless endangerment and misdemeanor boating under the influence.

Authorities say Burns was drunk last Aug. 9 when a boat he was operating on Devils Lake struck a tree about 30 yards from shore while traveling at more than 30 mph. The crash killed 26-year-old April Stenger, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and injured three other passengers.

A sentencing date was not immediately scheduled. Burns could face more than 25 years in prison.

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