By Associated Press - Tuesday, February 7, 2017

CROSBY, N.D. (AP) - A man accused of causing a crash that killed a father and two children in North Dakota’s oil patch has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

William Koehler entered the plea to three charges of felony manslaughter during a hearing in Divide County Monday. Koehler’s trial was to start this week after it was moved to Watford City at the request of the defense.

The 50-year-old Minot man was arrested in September, several weeks after he was involved in a crash near Crosby that claimed the lives of Lesley Gunderson and his two daughters, ages 2 and 8. Gunderson’s 4-year-old son was seriously injured in the crash.



The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled May 1.

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