A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for an intoxicated driving accident in 2022 that seriously injured three people. On Thursday, a judge handed down the sentencing order for 48-year-old William Ray Richards, who was found guilty by a jury in Carroll County District Court in November of three counts of serious injury by vehicle, a class D felony. Authorities arrested Richards after an Aug. 11, 2022, crash on U.S. Highway 71 south of Auburn. The investigation into the collision found Richards had been operating under the influence of methamphetamine when he plowed into the back of three vehicles that were stopped on the roadway for construction. Each count carries a penalty of up to five years, and counts I and II are to be served consecutively, with count III served concurrently. He was also assessed a fine of more than $1,000, and victim restitution is expected to be awarded in an amount to be determined at a future hearing.
