Additional Resources Department Links Appellate Civil Criminal Consumer Protection Medical Fraud Control Unit Division of Criminal Investigation Employment Opportunities John R Justice Program Attorney General Biography Media Press Releases Publications Official Opinions Criminal Justice Directory Technology Contacts DCI History Lake Andes Man Sentenced in Vehicular Homicide Case PIERRE, S.D - Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Ronald Ray Fischer, 30, Lake Andes was sentenced to 15 years for each count of vehicular homicide (2 counts), 1 year for driving or control of vehicle with alcohol blood or while under the influence of alcohol or drug and 180 days for ingesting non-alcoholic substance to become intoxicated person. All sentences to run consecutively. Credit for 608 days served. “Ronald Fischer’s decision to drive drunk and out-of-control was a senseless act that has taken two young lives causing a tremendous loss for two families. My thoughts remain with the Klumb and Spindler families,” said Jackley. “This case demonstrates the need for legislative review of South Dakota’s vehicular homicide law because the action of taking a human life should be valued at more than a maximum of 15 years with further reductions in parole eligibility.”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. Fischer’s blood alcohol was three times the legal limit. The victims, Maegan Spindler and Dr. Robert Klumb were both employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services with dedicated service to this agency. 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.The Attorney General’s Office plans to work with legislators to review increasing the maximum penalty of 15 years classification for vehicular homicide and to move the vehicular homicide offense to the violent crime category, requiring more time served before parole eligibility.
Lake Andes Man Sentenced in Vehicular Homicide Case PIERRE, S.D - Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Ronald Ray Fischer, 30, Lake Andes was sentenced to 15 years for each count of vehicular homicide (2 counts), 1 year for driving or control of vehicle with alcohol blood or while under the influence of alcohol or drug and 180 days for ingesting non-alcoholic substance to become intoxicated person. All sentences to run consecutively. Credit for 608 days served. “Ronald Fischer’s decision to drive drunk and out-of-control was a senseless act that has taken two young lives causing a tremendous loss for two families. My thoughts remain with the Klumb and Spindler families,” said Jackley. “This case demonstrates the need for legislative review of South Dakota’s vehicular homicide law because the action of taking a human life should be valued at more than a maximum of 15 years with further reductions in parole eligibility.”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. Fischer’s blood alcohol was three times the legal limit. The victims, Maegan Spindler and Dr. Robert Klumb were both employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services with dedicated service to this agency. 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.The Attorney General’s Office plans to work with legislators to review increasing the maximum penalty of 15 years classification for vehicular homicide and to move the vehicular homicide offense to the violent crime category, requiring more time served before parole eligibility.
