A Fort Duchesne, Uintah County, man was ordered to serve a 10-month term in a federal penitentiary for involuntary manslaughter while within Indian country. Mathius Wopsock, 21, Fort Duchesne, pleaded guilty to the charge in U.S. District Court last May. He was sentenced earlier this month in Salt Lake.
The charge stems from a vehicle rollover on Dec. 24, 2000, that claimed the life of Lloyd "Owie" Arrowchis, 20, Fort Duchesne. Tests taken an hour and a half after the accident showed that Wopsock's blood alcohol content was at least twice the legal limit at the time he was driving Arrowchis and two other passengers to Roosevelt.
Wopsock is the son of Ute Tribe Business Committee member Ron Wopsock. Arrowchis was raised by his grandparents, Bishop and Dorothy Arrowchis. The two boys grew up together.
According to court documents, Wopsock failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of his pickup truck, causing it to roll numerous times. Arrowchis died of head injuries. Wopsock and the other two passengers in the truck were not hurt.
The accident occurred around 7 a.m. south of Fort Duchesne in the area known as Dead Man's Curve.
Wopsock could have been sentenced up to six years in prison and fined $250,000. Defense attorney Gerry D'Elia pointed to Wopsock's youth in asking for a more lenient sentence.
As part of his sentence, Wopsock must pay $4,350 restitution to the Ute Indian Tribe.
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