An Oklahoman man was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay $1,500 for causing a car accident that claimed the lives of three Sac & Fox elders.

Mary Clark, 82; Janice Stevens, 51; and Juanita Goodreau, 71, were killed April 10, 2003 in a head-on collision. Their car was hit by Stephen Beck, 24, who had been drinking on the night of the accident.

Beck was initially charged with three felony counts of first-degree manslaughter, which carries up to 20 years in prison. But the charges were reduced to misdemeanor negligent homicide when prosecutors weren't allowed to show that his blood-alcohol level exceeded legal limits.

The three women killed will be sorely missed, family and tribal members said. They were known for their work on Indian issues and for working with young people.

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Tribal members still mourn losses in fatal wreck (The Oklahoman 11/3)
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