Skier Sentenced to 3 Months in Jail

Jan. 31 -- The first person in the United States to be convicted of homicide as a result of a deadly ski collision was sentenced to serve 90 days in the Eagle County jail for his part in the death of a Denver skier.

Nathan Hall, 21, a former ski-chair operator at Vail Mountain resort, crashed into Alan Cobb, 33, on the slopes in Vail, Colo., April 20, 1997.

Hall admitted to skiing too fast when he ran into Cobb but said it was an accident and he in no way intended to kill Cobb.

A jury found him guilty of negligent homicide Nov. 17 after refusing to convict him on the more severe reckless manslaughter charge. He could have faced up to six years in prison.

Hall, who had just gotten off work, was skiing at more than 25 mph when he entered a ski trail for intermediate skiers. Cobb's injuries were so severe they were consistent with those seen in an automobile accident, according to an Eagle County coroner during the trial.

Industry Takes Notice

Members of the ski industry have been keeping a close eye on the outcome of this case and say such high-profile cases have raises awareness among skiers.

"All of these cases are tragic but they have created higher degree of sensibility and awareness, which gives us a chance to put our message out," said Mark Dorsey, a spokesman for the National Ski Patrol.

Dorsey alluded to other high-profile accidents involving Congressman Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy, who died when he hit a tree while skiing on Aspen Mountain in 1998.

Dorsey said people are increasingly aware of the risks in skiing and some have begun to take precautions.

"More people are wearing helmets out there," Dorsey said. "People are recognizing the risks as well as the benefits of the slopes."

Ski resorts have also begun to place safety patrols throughout slopes.

In a recent interview, Hall said if he had been aware of the dangers of skiing he would not have been skiing that fast.

ABCNEWS.com's Maria F. Durand and ABCNEWS' Steve Walsh contributed to this report.