Legislator Fined $100 In Fatal Crash

Defensive driving teachers say that what happened to State Representative Johnnie Bolin isn`t all that uncommon. Bolin was driving in icy weather in February of 2003 and crashed into three people, killing them all. Bolin struck a deal with prosecutors yesterday to pay a 100 dollar fine plus costs to bring the case to an end. Prosecutor Stevan Dalrymple said he had to drop negligent homicide charges for the crash after a judge wouldn`t allow testimony from the state`s expert. Defensive driving instructor Brock Thompson of Little Rock said people often just worry about getting a ticket, they don`t think that when they get in their car they may kill someone. Thompson said it happens every day. Under the deal, the Democrat from Crossett pleaded no contest Tuesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court to careless and prohibited driving, a traffic violation. In addition to the 100 dollars, Bolin must pay 150 dollars in court costs and a 50 dollar sheriff`s fee. The crash occurred when Bolin lost control on an overpass on an icy Interstate 530 on February 25th, 2003. He went into the median and hit three motorists who were already stranded. The victims were 23 year old April Weeks of Star City, 25 year old Shawn Albert Storz and 22 year old Angela Brooke Storz, both of Jefferson. Bolin`s lawyer Wayne Juneau of Pine Bluff said quote "My client didn`t ever admit to anything. This means he`s not contesting the charges. Based on the offer that was given to us, I felt like it was in his best interest to accept that offer rather than go to trial." Bolin is unopposed on the November ballot.