Trooper pleads guilty to manslaughter in Mississippi State athlete’s death, will serve no prison time

Published 1:53 pm Friday, August 2, 2019

An ex-Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday for his role in a 2017 highway accident that killed a Mississippi State University student and track athlete. He was sentence to no prison time, but receive probation and must pay fines.

Kyle Lee, 31, pleaded guilty in the death of MSU track athlete Kaelin Kersh.

Kersh was 22 years-old when she was killed in the wreck that occurred while Lee was working as a state trooper and responding to a call. He was driving up to 99 mph as he headed to the call and did not have the vehicle’s lights or sirens turned on.

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His SUV collided with a Toyota Corolla. Kersh was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were injured in the accident.

Lee was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but the judge suspended all 10 years, with the first five years to be served on probation.