BILLINGS - A Billings man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended for a 2022 drunken-driving crash after the presiding judge rejected a defense proposal of no jail time in exchange for payments to the victim's children.

Kevin Welter received the sentence from Yellowstone County District Judge Ashley Harada. He pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of motorcyclist Aaron Lurz, a decorated U.S. Marine and father of five whom Welter struck near the corner of Molt Road and Masters Boulevard in July 2022.

Watch the sentencing story here: Billings man sentenced for fatal drunk driving crash

In court, Welter's attorney, David Merchant, asked for no prison time in exchange for annuity payments to the victim's children in a separate civil case, a proposa

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