(Spirit Lake)– A Sioux Falls man charged in a boat crash in August, 2005 that claimed the life of a Perry man and seriously injured his wife entered a guilty plea this (Monday) morning in Dickinson County District Court.
Justin Nearman pleaded guilty to one count of operating a boat while intoxicated resulting in the death of another person…a class “B” felony.
Assistant Dickinson County Attorney Jon Martin says other charges against Nearman, including operating a boat while intoxicated resulting in serious injury to another person and failing to offer assistance and aid, are to be dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Nearman faces up to 25 years in prison. Sentencing is set for 1:00 p.m. January 4th in Dickinson County District Court.
The crash on West Lake Okoboji claimed the life of Michael Brosnahan of Perry and seriously injured his wife.
It was announced last week an out-of-court settlement has been reached in a civil action stemming from the crash. Jill Brosnahan sued Nearman and the owner of the boat he was operating, Richard Brandt…also of Sioux Falls. Details into that settlement weren’t released.
