Tyson Coby sent to jail for for involuntary manslaughter in Fort Hall, Idaho

Tyson Coby, 28, of Fort Hall, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 32 months in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Coby to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, perform 200 hours of community service, and pay $2020.00 in restitution. Coby was prosecuted by both the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Court and the United States Attorney’s Office because they are separate sovereign governments. Double jeopardy does not apply in this circumstance. Coby pled guilty to the charge in June 2010.

According to the plea agreement, on March 24, 2006, Coby was driving a 1987 Chevrolet pickup on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. The Fort Hall Police had tried to stop Coby but he refused to yield and fled from the police, who broke off the pursuit. Coby turned onto West Sheepskin Road and accelerated to a high rate of speed. At the intersection of Sheepskin and Batt Lane, Coby attempted to pass a car but instead struck the vehicle. Theora Galloway, the driver of the vehicle that was struck, and Ueland Redwoman, a passenger in that vehicle, both died as a result of crash. The investigation showed Coby’s vehicle was traveling at approximately 76 miles per hour at the time of the collision. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. Coby also had a blood alcohol level of .46.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department.