UPDATES with court hearing; Eds: APNewsNow.

Hillsboro, N.D. (AP) A preliminary hearing is set later this month for a man charged in a crash that killed a woman after her vehicle struck the tires of a combine he was hauling on a Traill County bridge.

Ryan Berggren, of Walcott, is charged with negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. He is accused of hauling the combine on a trailer without safety lights on the night of July 25. The crash happened about 10 p.m.

Prosecutor Stuart Larson said the 27-year-old Berggren is free on $10,000 bail with a promise to appear at future hearings. Judge Georgia Dawson set his preliminary hearing for Jan. 28.

The July crash killed 72-year-old Barbara Mueller, of Cummings, whose sport utility vehicle struck the combine tires. Authorities said another vehicle also struck the tires but no one in that vehicle was seriously hurt.

Berggren's attorney, Bruce Quick, said no criminal negligence was involved.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-07-09 1538CST | save this article / add to your favorites list