St. Francis Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota
November 28, 2012

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Thomas Hacker, age 49, of St. Francis, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on November 26, 2012, and pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty upon conviction is eight years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on August 25, 2012, when Hacker was driving a motor vehicle and was under the influence of alcohol. Hacker’s vehicle left the roadway traveling onto the shoulder of the road. Hacker decelerated as he came out of the shoulder and struck the victim, who was walking along the edge of the road. The victim died from injuries sustained in the crash. Hacker’s blood alcohol level was determined to be .255 at the time of the crash.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marie H. Ruettgers. Hacker was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.