St. Francis Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota
April 25, 2012

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota man charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter was sentenced on April 23, 2012 by United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Christopher L. Two Lance, age 28, was sentenced to 37 months in custody, three years of supervised release, $15,442.48 in restitution, 40 hours’ community service, and a $200 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Two Lance was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2011 and pled guilty to the charge on September 27, 2011.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on the evening of July 6, 2011 at approximately 6:40 p.m., when Two Lance was driving a motor vehicle in excess of the posted 65 mph speed limit, had been drinking alcoholic beverages, and was under the influence of alcohol. Two Lance was observed driving recklessly before he ran into the victims’ vehicle. Both the driver and the passenger died as a result of the collision. Two Lance was driving the car at a rate of about approximately 99 mph at the time of the collision. Two Lance, whose blood alcohol was determined to be .319, was also hurt as a result of the crash.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher.

Two Lance was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.