PIERRE, S.D. (Local News Wire) – An Iowa man has been indicted on multiple charges, including Vehicular Homicide, following a fatal ATV crash in Hughes County on July 4.
Zachary Berger, 38, of Indianola, Iowa, faces eight charges, including one felony count of Vehicular Homicide and one felony count of Second Degree Manslaughter, filed by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Spring Creek Drive north of Pierre, resulting in the death of a 9-year-old girl and minor injuries to a 16-year-old male passenger, authorities said.
In addition to the homicide charge, Berger is also charged with two felony counts of Abuse or Cruelty to a Minor, two misdemeanor counts of Driving Under the Influence, and failure to ensure a minor wore a seatbelt.
Berger is described as an alleged habitual offender with prior felony convictions, which could extend his maximum potential sentence to life in prison if proven, authorities stated.
The case will be prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.