(KNSI) — A Wright County man received a stayed four-year sentence and ten years’ probation in a plea deal for a fatal drunk driving crash.
Last July, prosecutors say Austin Copsey was riding a side-by-side ATV with 12-year-old Jesse Hooper riding along. They were leaving a neighborhood party when the vehicle rolled, killing Hooper. The 37-year-old Copsey’s blood alcohol content was allegedly more than twice the legal limit. The criminal complaint said Copsey made contradictory statements surrounding who the driver was when the crash happened.
He entered an Alford plea, allowing defendants to maintain their innocence while admitting there could be enough evidence to convict them of a crime.
Cospey was also sentenced to six months of work release and six months of home monitoring to be served 20 days at a time around the anniversary of Hooper’s death. He must also perform 100 hours of community service.
The Hooper family disagreed with the downward departure.
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