The driver in a crash that killed three Carleton College students last year has been charged in Dakota County District Court with a misdemeanor and accused of going too fast in wintry conditions.
William S. Sparks, 21, was charged Friday with careless driving.
On Feb. 28, 2014, Sparks and four other students were on their way to an Ultimate Frisbee competition when Sparks lost control of the car. The 1997 Toyota 4Runner, driving on packed snow and ice, crossed the centerline and was broadsided by an oncoming semitrailer truck.
The crash occurred on Hwy. 3 at County Road 47 in Dakota County, less than 3 miles from Carleton's Northfield campus.
Killed were James P. Adams, 20, of St. Paul; Paxton M. Harvieux, 21, of Stillwater; and Michael D. Goodgame, 20, of Westport, Conn.
Sparks, of Evanston, Ill., and a passenger, Conor J. Eckert of Seattle, then 19, were injured in the crash. The truck driver was not injured.
According to the criminal complaint, a State Patrol crash reconstruction showed that Sparks' failure to slow down on the icy roads likely contributed to the crash.
He could face up to 90 days in prison and up to $1,000 in fines if convicted.
