GRAND FORKS, N.D. – A trial will no longer proceed involving a Fordville man who is accused of criminal vehicular homicide and injury after a June 2024 crash near Grand Forks killed 6-year-old Katarina Louthain.
Travis Bell and his attorney, Mark Friese, took part in a hearing Monday morning that was brought as a result of a plea agreement announced Friday. The trial was set to start Tuesday in Grand Forks County District Court.
Bell pled guilty to both counts – a Class C Felony of criminal vehicular injury and a Class A Felony of criminal vehicular homicide.
Friese told judge Ted Sandberg that his client wanted to change his plea, a notion that was confirmed by Bell himself when questioned by Sandberg.
Rachel Egstad, Assistant State’s Attorney in Grand Forks County, said Louthain’s mother has not been against her ‘agreeing to this agreement as of last Friday,’.
Between the two counts he pled guilty to Monday, Bell faces between three- and six-years mandatory service out of a total of 15 years in prison. The two sides agreed that Bell will remain on bond until sentencing.
Sentencing will take place on May 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Grand Forks County District Court.
