Mother of girl killed in drunken driving crash speaks out after driver sentenced

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – The mother of a six-year-old girl who was killed by a drunk driver west of the Grand Forks Air Force Base nearly two years ago is speaking out after the driver was sentenced.

Travis Bell, 43, will spend six years in prison for the crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Airport Road. Bell slammed into the back of the vehicle, killing Katarina Louthain and seriously injuring her mother, Nicole.

“This man was drinking and driving. He was on his phone. And he was speeding excessively when he hit me on my way home to Grand Forks Air Force Base. I was at a red light,” Louthain says.

Grand Forks County District Court judge Theodore Sandberg sentenced Bell to the maximum penalties allowed under his plea agreement.

Louthain says she understands some people are upset by what they see as a short sentence, but it was the best case scenario under the current system.

“North Dakota does not crack down enough on drinking and driving,” Louthain says in a social media video. “You’re mad, right? You should be. You know who can change that? Legislation. Talk to your district representatives. Advocate during session. Session is every two years. It’s coming up January 2027. Now is the time – right now – to contact your representative for your district, your senators.”

After his release, Bell will be on three years of supervised probation, and spend two years in the 24-7 sobriety program.