Plea Deal Upsets Dickinson Hit-and-Run Victim’s Family

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) — A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Dickinson has been sentenced to serve three years in prison as part of a plea deal with prosecutors that has angered family members of the victim.

Timothy Menges was accused of driving drunk in November 2012 and striking and killing 47-year-old Tracy Freer in a motel parking lot. He initially was charged with negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident involving death but pleaded guilty only to the second charge.

Stark County prosecutors said the plea deal was reasonable. Menges' attorney, Ryan Heintz, said his client has accepted responsibility and been cooperative.

Tracy Freer's stepbrother, John Stevens, said Menges got off too easy.