Cass County, North Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) – In a significant development in Cass County, Alex Cruz has been sentenced to six years in prison for the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of 36-year-old Robyn Kruse on December 23, 2024. Cruz is required to serve four years of the sentence, followed by two years of probation.
During the sentencing, District Court Judge Constance L. Cleveland deviated from the prosecution’s recommendation of two years with 180 days served, citing the emotional impact statements from Kruse’s family and friends. Jodi Krause, Robyn’s sister, expressed frustration over Cruz’s delayed apology, stating, “The fact is you killed someone, and the fact that the first time you said sorry was 2 minutes ago. You had countless opportunities to say sorry, and you have never done it.”
Cass County State’s Attorney Patrick Fylling noted the absence of aggravating factors such as DUI or high-speed driving, which typically influence harsher sentences in vehicular fatalities. However, the decision to flee the scene played a significant role in the sentencing. Cruz’s attorney explained that his client had been advised to remain silent to protect his legal rights.
In addition to the prison term, Cruz has been ordered to pay $3,400 in restitution.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know?
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Fargo, North Dakota, where the incident occurred, is the most populous city in the state and serves as a cultural and economic hub for the region.
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Hit-and-run incidents are taken seriously in North Dakota, with penalties that can include significant prison time, especially when fatalities are involved.
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Victim impact statements, like those presented by Kruse’s family, can influence sentencing decisions by providing the court with personal accounts of the crime’s effects.