(KIWA) — A Montana man has been sentenced to five years in prison for an impaired-driving crash that seriously injured four people near Larchwood nearly two years ago.
The Lyon County Attorney’s Office says Lance Harvey Haugen of Glendive, Montana, pleaded guilty in July to four counts of Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle — Operating While Intoxicated. Each count is a Class D felony carrying a five-year prison term.
Haugen was sentenced this week, with the four prison terms ordered to run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.
The judge also ordered Haugen to pay a $1,025 fine and 15 percent surcharge on each count, along with victim restitution and court costs. Other charges filed in the case were dismissed under the plea agreement.
Under Iowa law, Haugen was not placed on probation. He will be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center to begin serving his sentence.
Four People Seriously Injured
The case stems from a crash at the intersection of Beech Avenue and 140th Street, also known as County Road A18, about four miles west of Larchwood.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office determined Haugen failed to stop at a stop sign and entered the intersection, striking an eastbound vehicle occupied by four people. All four occupants were seriously injured, and their vehicle caught fire following the collision.
The victims were taken to a hospital and later released after receiving treatment.
Investigators and chemical testing determined Haugen was impaired at the time of the crash due to THC consumption.
Off-duty Lennox, South Dakota, police officer Ismael Small happened upon the crash and was credited with saving the victims’ lives.
