SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A 32-year-old Sioux Falls woman has been sentenced to more than 37 years in prison for driving drunk and killing a man more than four years ago.
Police say Tammy Kvasnicka (kay-VAYS’-nihk-uh) drove the wrong way on Interstate 229 in Sioux Falls while drunk and hit an oncoming car in July 2010. It killed 27-year-old Michael Xayavong.
Kvasnicka pleaded guilty to manslaughter and vehicular battery in August of 2013.
Kvasnicka was previously sentenced to serve 60 years in prison. But the state Supreme Court overturned her conviction in March of 2013, saying it was improper for a police officer who testified during her trial to compare the force of the crash to more than 900 handguns being fire at once.
Kvasnicka is also required to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution.
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