Garret Kuntz/Barnes County Jail
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KFGO-News Dakota) — A plea deal has been submitted by the man accused in a deadly hit-and-run along I-94 west of Valley City.
Garrett Kuntz of Mandan agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. Under the terms of the plea deal, he wouldn’t spend a day in jail.
Kuntz is accused of hitting and killing Jerson Mejia, 27, of Honduras, a few days before Christmas 2025. Mejia was killed after being struck by a vehicle while walking along I-94 near Valley City early December 21, 2025.
At the same time, Kuntz was headed from his hometown of Mandan to a gathering in Valley City. Investigators say his cell phone records show he was using Snapchat constantly during the 140 mile trip.
Barnes County State’s Attorney Tanya Duffy anticipates Mejia’s family to ask the court to reject the agreement.
If the deal is accepted, Kuntz would be on supervised probation for three years, and perform 1,000 hours of community service.
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