COEUR d’ALENE — A man who caused a crash that killed his wife last year received probation.

The affected family says the sentence will help them heal after a tragic loss.

Michael L. Holiman, 71, of Harrison, pleaded guilty in March to vehicular manslaughter, a felony.

The charge stems from October 2021, when law enforcement responded to a single-vehicle crash in the area of Thompson Lake Road and Harlow Point near Harrison.

The driver, identified as Holiman, was transported to Kootenai Health with non life-threatening injuries, as were two passengers.

Holiman’s wife, 69-year-old Nancy L. Holiman, died at the scene.

Holiman reportedly told police he had consumed at least five beers at Oktoberfest in Harrison City Park.

Court documents indicate Holiman’s blood alcohol content was 0.10. In Idaho, a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered impaired.

Holiman reportedly had no prior criminal offenses.

Judge Rich Christensen sentenced Holiman last week to six years in prison, with three years fixed and three years indeterminate.

Christensen then suspended the sentence and placed Holiman on supervised probation for three years.

Holiman will spend 28 days in jail, after he will spend 90 days on house arrest. His license will be suspended for one year, with exceptions for court obligations and work purposes. He must also do 50 hours of community service related to DUI issues.

The sentence was the result of a mediated agreement.

Lindsey Holiman, the daughter of Michael and Nancy Holiman, told the court that her family has struggled to heal after the crash.

“My mom and dad were very close and together for a long time,” she said. “It’s been a tragedy.”

Prior to sentencing, she wrote a letter to the judge in support of her father.

“What you do to him, you really do to us,” she told the court.

Holiman’s attorney, Robin McPherson, said the sentence will satisfy the family and assuage their fears.

“There is nothing the court can do that he didn’t do to himself,” McPherson said. “He lost his best friend.”

Christensen denied the defense’s request to enter a withheld judgement, adding that the crime is too significant for that.

“This is a tragedy,” Christensen said. “A true tragedy.”