A Gaston County, North Carolina man pled guilty to misdemeanor death by vehicle as part of a plea agreement that resolves previous charges of manslaughter, trespassing and a helmet law violation

The plea follows a January 2008 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident, in which the 38-year-old man and his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter were riding on an ATV when it overturned. Neither were wearing helmets, and the 7-year-old girl died from severe head trauma. North Carolina State law requires consumers to wear safety helmets when riding ATVs. In addition, the ATV the man was driving was built for only one person.

As part of the plea agreement, the man received 3 years of probation and was ordered to pay the girl’s funeral expenses.

Source: Michael Barrett, “Gaston County man takes plea agreement in ATV fatality case,” Gaston Gazette, November 6, 2008.