Driver in fatal Jeep plunge off cliff gets probation deal

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- The driver of a Jeep that plunged off a 30-foot cliff during a bachelor party, killing the groom's brother and another man, has been placed on probation for five years.

Brock Busenbark, 24, of Columbia, Mo., entered an Alford plea Monday to involuntary manslaughter before a judge in Ste. Genevieve County. Under an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but agrees there is sufficient evidence for a jury to find him guilty.

The accident happened in July 2002 on a farm owned by Busenbark's father outside of Farmington, Mo., about 60 miles south of St. Louis. Busenbark was driving a Jeep with six other passengers.

Killed were Geoffrey Francis, 26, of Farmington, and Benton Chandler, 25, of Fayette, Mo. Francis was the brother of the groom, Daniel Francis, 22, who was also a passenger. He escaped with minor injuries. Another brother of the groom was also injured.

The crash forced the postponement of the wedding, which had been scheduled for later that day.

The criminal charges were based on the recklessness of the crash, authorities said, noting the wreck happened at night and the Jeep did not having working headlights.

The crash happened just hours after the wedding party had attended a rehearsal dinner in Farmington.