FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that an Indianola, Iowa man has pleaded guilty to Second Degree Manslaughter in connection with a July 4 fatal U-T-V crash that occurred in Hughes County.
Zachary Berger, 38, also admitted Thursday in Hughes County Circuit to an amended Part II Habitual Offender Information which increases Berger’s maximum possible sentence to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 31.
A nine-year-old girl died in the crash.
The crash was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Hughes County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
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