NILES — A South Bend man was sentenced to jail and probation for his role in what his attorney called “a terrible accident” that killed an Andrews University graduate last November on U.S. 12.

Thomas Joseph Doyle, 40, of South Bend and formerly of Galien, pleaded guilty to moving violation causing death and was sentenced Wednesday to one year probation, 90 days jail and $645 in fines and costs.

He has credit for seven days already served and can serve the last 60 days of his jail term on tether. His probation terms also include 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, no alcohol and drugs and no driving of a motor vehicle.

The incident occurred Nov. 30 in Bertrand Township. Doyle was westbound on U.S. 12 near the U.S. 31 freeway interchange when he struck a vehicle coming off the freeway. The driver of that car, Anna Kim, 24, was killed in the crash.

Kim, a native of South Korea, was a graduate of Andrews University in Berrien Springs and in an internship with the Grand Rapids Symphony at the time of the accident. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in music in 2016 and had also completed a master’s degree in community and international development.

Doyle initially was charged with driving while license suspended causing death, which is a felony, but pleaded to the moving violation causing death charge which is a misdemeanor.

“He’s very remorseful,” said defense attorney Thomas Keller. “If he could back in time and take it back, he would. It’s unfortunate that he drove that day and a person died. It’s something he’s going to have to live with.

“He was driving in excess of the speed limit,” Keller added. “The accident reconstruction showed that if he had been going slower, she’d be through the intersection and not be hit. … This was a very poor exercise in judgment. Ms. Kim did pull out and he had no time to react. Mr. Doyle did put himself in this position, he was speeding and had a suspended license. It was an accident, a terrible accident.”

Berrien County Trial Judge Charles LaSata said that the accident involved excessive speed with no alcohol involved.

“I’m sure if you could trade places, you probably would but you can’t,” he said. “She’s gone forever.”

Judge LaSata noted this case is the fourth moving violation causing death case he’s handled during his nearly two-year tenure in Niles.