Idaho Falls man pleads guilty to vehicular manslaughter

A 21-year-old Idaho Falls man pleaded guilty Monday to charges of vehicular manslaughter.

Jacob Koplin was charged in connection with the death of Michael T. Hinckley, 21, of Idaho Falls. According to police, Hinckley was a passenger in Koplin’s car. Koplin crossed a double line into oncoming traffic to pass a service vehicle and crashed into an oncoming pickup towing a boat. Hinckley died of injuries sustained in the crash. The pickup driver, his wife, and two daughters survived.Bonneville County Deputy Prosecutor John Dewey said Koplin will be sentenced on July 30 before Judge Joel Tingey.

Because of Koplin’s lack of a previous criminal record and the victim’s mother’s wishes, Dewey said the state would recommend a withheld judgment at sentencing.

Under such a sentence, Koplin would serve a certain amount of probation and could be asked to meet other conditions. After completing those requirements, Koplin could be entitled to dismissal of the charges.

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