Truck driver gets 30 days for crash that killed Garden City teen
GARDEN CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — A Garden City man will spend 30 days in jail for a crash that killed 16-year-old Cassandra 'Cassy' Linder of Garden City.
Investigators say Craig Potts was driving a semi, hauling a milk trailer, eastbound on U.S. Highway 50 when he crossed the center line and crashed with a westbound Fiat 500 on March 13, 2023. Linder, who was driving the Fiat, was fatally injured and died at the hospital.
Potts was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter or the alternative of vehicular homicide. He was also charged with failure to drive on the right side of the roadway and two counts of failing to obey motor carriers' safety regulations regarding seat belts and driving while ill or fatigued.
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At a plea hearing Tuesday, the Finney County Attorney says Potts pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide.
'It was determined the most likely outcome of a trial was conviction to the alternative charge of vehicular homicide,' County Attorney Susan Richmeier said in a news release. 'The Finney County Attorney's Office recognizes there is considerable information and evidence which is not open and available to the public. All facts and circumstances were meticulously reviewed when determining the outcome of this case.'
Judge Rebecca Faurot gave Potts a suspended 12-month sentence and supervised probation for 18 months. Potts must serve 30 days in jail as a condition of the probation. He must also surrender his commercial driver's license.
Richmeier said the sentence corresponds to the charge.
'Tremendous time and effort are put forth on behalf of victims and achieving justice according to the law as written within the State of Kansas,' she said. 'This office extends their heartfelt sympathy to the Linder family, friends and loved ones and we acknowledge the toll this case has had on our community.'
The judge said an ongoing civil suit will determine any restitution in the case.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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