Driver sentenced for crash that killed researcher

Published 9:49 am Friday, March 11, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS  — The driver charged in a hit-and-run that killed a University of Minnesota researcher has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Twenty-four-year-old Kevin Doerr will be eligible for supervised release in three years.

The judge noted Thursday that the five-year sentence was slightly less than state guidelines because Doerr took responsibility for his actions.

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Doerr pleaded guilty last month to criminal vehicular homicide in the Sept. 20 death of 37-year-old Ethan Johnson, a University of Minnesota research associate.

The Star Tribune reports Doerr admitted he was driving more than 60 mph when his car hit Johnson’s in south Minneapolis.

The crash also injured Johnson’s father, Dr. Stephen F. Johnson of Missoula, Mont., and his mother and wife.