Texting South Dakota Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter

A 21-year-old man accused of fatally injuring a motorcyclist while he was speeding and texting has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges.

Brent O’Neal was indicted by a grand jury on the traffic violations and on alternate counts of first- and second-degree manslaughter for the collision that killed 33-year-old Philip Sorensen.

The Argus Leader reports that O’Neal has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Police say O’Neal was texting and driving nearly 60 miles per hour on July 25 when he lost control and struck two cars, pushing one of them into the back of a third vehicle. Prosecutors say he struck Sorensen’s motorcycle and tried to run away.

His next court date is set for Oct. 11.