A Mineral Point man is pleading no contest to homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle in a 2006 accident that killed a 14-year old and injured several other children.
46-year old Barry Jacobson entered the plea during a court appearance Thursday. He also pleaded no contest to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless driving causing bodily harm. Four of those counts were originally felonies, but were reduced as part of the plea bargain.
Jacobson was sentenced to three years probation for the misdemeanor charges. If he completes that sentence without breaking the law, he will not be sentenced for the felony conviction.
As conditions of his sentence, Jacobson may not drive commercially while on probation, and will have his license revoked for 1 year. He also must complete 150 hours of community service, and write an essay about the impact his negligence had on the victims and their families. He'll also pay more than $4000 in restitution costs to the County.
If Jacobson violates conditions of his probation, a conviction will be entered for the felony homicide charge, and he will receive a new sentence.
Authorities say Jacobson drove his semi into the back of a stopped school bus outside in the Town of Leola in March, 2006.
14-year-old David Senft Jr. of Bancroft was killed in the crash.
