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Hillsboro, N.D. (AP) A man has been given a three-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay $800 in fines and fees in a case stemming from a crash that killed a woman last year in Traill County.

Ryan Berggren of Walcott entered an Alford plea to reckless endangerment charges, meaning he maintains his innocence but agrees there is enough evidence to convict him. A negligent homicide charge was dropped.

The 27-year-old Berggren was accused of driving a semi that was hauling a combine on a trailer without safety lights last July 25.

Authorities said a car and a sport utility vehicle struck the combine's tires on a bridge along state Highway 18, where it stalled about 10 p.m.

The crash killed 72-year-old Barbara Mueller of Cummings, who was driving the SUV.

Judge Georgia Dawson called the case "a very tragic set of circumstances." Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-22-09 2020CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list