Using Car to Run Over SD Trooper Means Over 40 Years in Prison

A woman who ran over a South Dakota State trooper in 2012 will spend a long time in prison for her actions.  Judge Joseph Neiles today sentenced Rachel Coleman to a combined 42 and a half years in prison for the incident that included a lengthy chase on Sioux Falls city streets and severely injured Trooper Andrew Steen.  

Coleman learned of her fate in a Lincoln County courtroom in Canton today.  Forty years of her sentence was for an assault charge and 2 and a half years for the DWI charge with the sentences to be served consecutively.

The sentence started retroactively when she first went into court custody back in October of 2012.  Coleman must also pay restitution, as well as court costs and repay the cost of a county attorney.

Following the sentence, Col. Craig Price, superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol, issued a statement on Coleman's sentencing:

"Now that Rachel Coleman has been sentenced for her crimes, this case will have worked its way through South Dakota's criminal justice system. We are satisfied with that outcome."

"Throughout this process, our attention has been on Trooper Andrew Steen and his family as the courageous trooper recovered from life-threatening injuries and worked his way back to full duty with the Highway Patrol. Andrew returned to full duty on Feb. 4 of this year. We are thankful for his full recovery and pleased that he is back on duty protecting and serving the citizens of South Dakota.''