FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :   Thursday, February 5, 2015    
CONTACT: Sara Rabern,  (605) 773-3215 

 
Charles Mix Man Convicted in Vehicular Homicide Case

PIERRE, S.D.  – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Circuit Court Judge Anderson has issued his decision convicting Ronald Ray Fischer, 30, Lake Andes, on two counts of vehicular homicide, class 3 felony, each carrying a maximum sentence of fifteen years imprisonment and/or $30,000 fine, one count of driving or control of vehicle with alcohol blood or while under the influence of alcohol or drug, class 1 misdemeanor and one count of ingesting non-alcoholic substance to become intoxicated, class 1 misdemeanor. Fischer was acquitted on the two 1st degree manslaughter charges.

“Ronald Fischer’s decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol was a senseless act that has caused a tremendous loss for two families,” said Jackley. “We are pleased with the court’s decision and our thoughts remain with the Klumb and Spindler families.”

Charges stem from an incident on July 8, 2013, where Fischer failed to stop at a stop sign at a highway intersection. His vehicle then directly entered a parking lot at highway speed and struck two U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees who were working in the Pickstown area.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 23, at 3:00 p.m. at the Charles Mix County Courthouse. 

The investigation was conducted by the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Division of Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

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