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N.D. (AP) – A pickup truck driver who struck and killed a bicyclist in Steele County while allegedly distracted by his cellphone has been sentenced to serve three months in jail and three months on electronic home monitoring.
Authorities say Matthew Strand, of Finley, was taking selfies and texting them when he hit and killed 54-year-old Lisa Knudson, of Portland, on Aug. 15, 2014, on state Highway 200 near Finley.
Strand initially was charged with felony negligent homicide. He maintained that he had been distracted by his children in the backseat of the truck and reached a deal with prosecutors that reduced the charge to misdemeanor aggravated reckless driving. He was sentenced Wednesday.
Knudson’s brother Lee Karaim said he thinks the sentence is too lenient.