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Garryowen man admits to manslaughter charges in fatal DUI case

Posted at 5:55 PM, May 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-23 19:55:36-04

BILLINGS- A Garryowen man has admitted to federal charges stemming from an August 2018 crash on the Crow reservation that killed one and injured two passengers.

Gus Oldbear III, 20, pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault resulting in bodily injury for driving drunk during the crash, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said Thursday.

Prosecutors said in court documents that Oldbear was driving a truck between Wyola and Lodge Grass about 4 a.m. Aug. 10, 2018, when he swerved off the road, hit a ditch and rolled the vehicle. One of his three passengers died, and two others suffered serious injuries, including spinal fractures.

The group had been drinking and driving throughout the night and early morning, according to Alme, although Oldbear claimed he fell asleep and caused the crash.

His blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash was .123 percent, above the legal limit, according to Alme.

Oldbear faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release on the assault charges. The manslaughter charge carries a maximum of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.