Floyd man to be sentenced July 16 in death of bicyclist

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Wed May 09 2012
Posted May 9, 2012
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By PEGGY SENZARINO, peggy.senzarino@globegazette.com

A July sentencing date has been set for a Floyd man who struck and killed a bicyclist last summer in Hancock County.

Travis Jack Thomas, 40, Floyd, appeared in Hancock County District Court in Garner Tuesday to plead guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, a Class D felony, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor, in the death of 60-year-old Randy “Railroad Randy” Nomeland of Minneapolis.

Thomas was originally charged with vehicular homicide.

He will be sentenced at 11 a.m. July 17 in district court in Garner.

Thomas was eastbound on U.S. Highway 18 near Britt on July 29, 2011, when he hit Nomeland who was eastbound on a bicycle.

Nomeland was in the area for the National Hobo Convention in Britt.

A Class D felony carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine of $750 to $7,500.

A serious misdemeanor carries a maximum of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,250.

Thomas’ attorney Russell Schroeder said his client does not plan to request a suspended sentence. Thomas also faces payment of $150,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.