BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A 35-year-old Billings man has been given a six-month suspended sentence for his role in a crash that killed a 4-year-old boy in July 2009.

Johnnathon Kent Angel pleaded guilty Monday to careless driving causing serious injury or death. He had been charged with negligent homicide.

Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney David Carter told The Billings Gazette that prosecutors would have had a difficult time proving that Angel's "conduct was the primary and predominant" cause of the Kyle Beeler's death.

The crash occurred when a car driven by Kyle's mother pulled in front of Angel's motorcycle. Angel's helmet went through the rear passenger window and struck the boy, who died at the scene.

Prosecutors initially sought the felony charge because Angel was speeding and blood tests showed he was under the influence of marijuana.

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