Ft. Thompson Woman Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota
August 2, 2012

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ft. Thompson woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter by criminal complaint.

Leigha R. Koster, a/k/a Leigha R. Tapio, age 20, was charged on July 30, 2012. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 1, 2012. The maximum penalty upon conviction is not more than eight years of custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The charge stems from an incident on July 28, 2012, when Koster sped away from a police officer during a traffic stop and traveled at a high rate of speed in excess of 100 miles per hour. The vehicle was involved in an accident and rolled over in the ditch, during which time the victim was ejected from the vehicle. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner.

The charge is merely an accusation, and Koster is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. Koster was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A trial date has not yet been set.