On this day, Aug. 16, in 2002, South Dakota Rep. Bill Janklow struck and killed a motorcyclist with his speeding Cadillac Seville. Prosecutors said Janklow — who had boasted about his lead-foot driving in past speeches — was going at least 70 mph in a 55 mph zone when he ran a stop sign in rural South Dakota. The collision instantly killed 55-year-old Randolph Scott. At Janklow’s 2004 trial, his lawyer argued that Janklow suffered a bout of low blood sugar, and was thus “confused” at the time of the crash. Jurors were not informed of his three previous accidents and 12 speeding violations. Still, the Republican was convicted of manslaughter charges and he was forced to resign from Congress. He was sentenced to 100 days in jail.
— Scott McCabe
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