Kamiah Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter

COEUR D’ALENE—Nicholas P. Allman, 22, of Kamiah, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of involuntary manslaughter, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

According to statements made in court, on October 28, 2011, Allman and two friends attended an outdoor party outside of Kooskia, Idaho. Witnesses at the party recalled that Allman was drinking alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated. In the early morning hours of October 29, 2011, the men left the party with Allman driving the vehicle. Approximately one hour later, Allman failed to negotiate a turn on Harris Ridge Road. His vehicle left the roadway and rolled down a steep embankment onto U.S. Highway 12 below. The three men were ejected from the vehicle. James Oatman, Jr. died during the rollover and was pronounced dead at the scene. Allman’s blood was drawn by police later that morning, and it was determined that he was intoxicated, having a blood alcohol level above .08.

The charge of involuntary manslaughter is punishable by up to eight years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is set for August 26, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Idaho State Police, and Nez Perce Tribal Police, with assistance from the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office.