4-Year Sentence for Pleasant

A man originally charged with involuntary manslaughter in his fiance’s death switched his plea at a hearing in Chariton County Court last month to an amended charge, and has been sentenced to four years in prison. Chariton County Prosecuting Attorney Cliff Thornburg outlines what took place in court involving 45-year-old James Pleasant, who pleaded guilty to criminal negligence.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers say Pleasant and Alicia Meyer were driving last May when they bypassed barricades and drove into floodwaters topping a county road. Pleasant was able to get out, but Meyer used a wheelchair and couldn’t escape.

Sentencing took place Thursday.