A Merrill man pleaded not guilty to a charge of homicide by motor vehicle Monday in Plymouth County District Court.

Danny Clyde Robinson, 49, is accused of that felony and operating while intoxicated, a second offense, regarding an Aug. 11, 2007 accident which claimed the life of a 78-year-old woman.

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Fern A. Nielson of Lake Norden, S.D. died after allegedly being hit by the van Robinson was driving, according to the Plymouth County Sheriff's report.

The accident took place near Merrill on county road C-38, one-third mile west of Kestrel Avenue.

According to the sheriff's report, the accident took place as follows:

Nielson called the authorities at about 1:19 a.m., reporting that she had been in a different accident. Four minutes later, the report states, Nielson was struck by Robinson's van. Nielson was transported by helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City where she was pronounced dead.

Robinson was taken into custody that night, charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, his second offense, and later released on bond.

Once the charge of vehicular homicide was filed, Robinson turned himself in to the Plymouth County Jail on July 9 and was released after he posted the required 10 percent of his $50,000 bond.

The trial date for Robinson has not yet been released.