A woman from Lame Deer has admitted to assault charges related to a rollover crash on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation that resulted in serious injuries to two passengers. Kendra Carol Cook, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
Cook faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for each count. The proceedings were overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan, with sentencing scheduled before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors when determining Cook's sentence. She remains detained as she awaits further legal proceedings.
The incident occurred on May 18, 2023, when the FBI received reports of a car rollover north of Lame Deer involving Cook and her two passengers. According to court documents, Cook was under the influence of alcohol during the crash. A witness reported finding two injured women at the scene who stated that Cook had left after the accident.
One passenger, referred to as Jane Doe 2, was seated in the back while another passenger, Jane Doe 1, occupied the front seat during the incident. Before picking up Doe 2, Cook reportedly consumed whiskey and later purchased more alcohol which they drank while driving towards Lame Deer.
According to Doe 2's account in court documents, Cook drove erratically and appeared intent on causing an accident by swerving intentionally before accelerating and turning sharply into a ditch where the vehicle flipped over multiple times.
Doe 1 estimated that Cook was driving at about 80 miles per hour before reducing speed to around 60 mph prior to losing control of the vehicle within a zone restricted to speeds not exceeding 35 mph.
Both victims sustained fractures among other serious injuries during this event which transpired under these hazardous conditions.