He Ran Over And Killed An Elderly Navy Veteran Without Provocation. Then, He Ran Over Him Again.
A South Dakota man ran over a Navy veteran multiple times as he crossed the street.
Now, the killer will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Recently, South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr sentenced Wade Bison, 39, to life without the possibility of parole for the hit-and-run death of 77-year-old Erwin Geigle. Bison pleaded guilty to murder, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless endangerment and two other lesser charges.
On March 21, officers responded to a high-speed car chase after a violent hit-and-run by Bison. Soon, the chase ended when the defendant crashed his vehicle down an embarkment.
According to prosecutors, Geigle was crossing the street to pick up his granddaughter after a sports practice at the All-Seasons Arena complex when Bison slammed on his brakes. Angry, the defendant hit the gas pedal, leaving burnout tire marks and ran over the Navy veteran.
Then, he ran the victim over the second time.
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Prosecutors argued there was no provocation from Geigle, except an innocent man crossing the streets to enjoy spending time with his granddaughter. In addition, the state expressed its frustration at the criminal justice system for allowing the defendant to walk free after a long criminal history and convictions.
“This never should have happened. Mr. Bison had opportunity after opportunity. You can see in the PSI his criminal history. He had, as noted, 54 prior convictions, 54 prior incarcerations and yet here we are. An innocent man lost his life crossing the street just to pick up his granddaughter,” said State’s Attorney Gabrielle Goter, according to West Dakota FOX.
Bison’s defense lawyer, Public Defender Steven Balaban, asked the court to consider a lesser sentence of 10 years with 5 years suspended due to his client’s struggle with addiction. Instead, the request infuriated the judge.
“The suggestion of 10 years and five years suspended is almost offensive to the court, Mr. Bison. You take someone’s life, and you do what you did in the manner you did, the court is pondering whether that should be life without parole,” said Bahr, reported Valley News Live.
The judge sentenced Bison to additional 17 years concurrently for the other charges and restitution of $10,000.
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