Bell Sentenced in Fatal Crash

(KNOX) – A fatal accident in 2024, one that has led to drama in court proceedings, has closed with a six-year sentence.

Travis Bell has been sentenced to six years in prison for a drunk driving crash that claimed the life of six-year-old Katarina Louthain and injured her mother.

The accident occurred on U.S. Highway Two at the intersection of County Highway Five, an accident that has led to the planned construction of a roundabout at that location.

Grand Forks County District Judge Theodore Sandberg sentenced Bell to the maximum penalties allowable under his plea agreement.  Bell received 20 years, with 14 suspended, for the death of Katarina Louthain, and five years for criminal vehicular injury to Nicole Louthain, the maximum allowable.

The sentences will be served concurrently.  The sentenced will be followed by three years of supervised probation, and two years participation in a 24-7 sobriety program.

Bell reportedly has a blood alcohol content level of .130 at the time of the crash.  The evidence of BAC was originally supressed by a ruling from Sandberg, but was returned to evidence on appeal.