ND Man Pleads Not Guilty in Mail-Carrier Death

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — An Almont man has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide in the death of a mail carrier in southwestern North Dakota.

The Bismarck Tribune reports 21-year-old Ernest Borntrager could face up to five years in prison if convicted. He is due back in court Nov. 25.

Borntrager is accused of negligently causing the death of 66-year-old Martha Kautzman, who was critically injured in a July 7 crash on N.D. Highway 31 north of New Salem and died of her injuries about two weeks later.

Authorities allege that Borntrager was speeding and pulling a trailer that did not have functioning brakes.