Jacob Thomas Victor, 26, of Chaska was sentenced to one year in jail for two counts of felony criminal vehicular operation resulting in two deaths, according to a press release from Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler.

“We argued for a sentence of eight years in prison for these crimes. We are disappointed by the judge’s decision,” said Keeler. Assistant Carver County Attorney Peter Ivy argued to the court for prison time for Victor, the release stated. Judge Philip Kanning presided over the case.

The presumptive prison sentence for each count of criminal vehicular operation is 48 months. Ivy advocated that these sentences be consecutive, and for Victor to serve 96 months, or eight years in prison.

However, the court sentenced Victor to one year in jail and stayed a 96-month prison sentence upon conditions, the release stated.

The case arose from a crash on Highway 5 in Victoria on Aug. 26, 2007.

Victor crossed the double-yellow centerline striking a car Shannon Kruse was driving. Both Kruse and her eight-month unborn child were killed. At the time of the crash, Victor had an alcohol content of .13 percent, over the legal limit of .08.

Kruse is survived by her husband, Mark Kruse of Victoria and her three young children.

Keeler stated in the release that the case should serve as a reminder that the Carver County Attorney’s Office will always prosecute drunken driving cases resulting in death to the fullest extent of the law.   Keeler complimented the Minnesota State Patrol for their work on the accident reconstruction, which was presented at trial.

Read earlier articles here:

www.chaskaherald.com/news/public-safety/chaska-man-faces-charges-fatal-highway-5-accident-2543

www.chaskaherald.com/node/2527