30-Day Term Given in Fatal Leap on Woman in River

A California man charged with negligent homicide for diving off a cliff and killing a woman who was floating down the Salt River on an inner tube was sentenced Friday to 30 days in jail and four years’ probation.

Adam J. Shimer, 20, of Thousand Oaks entered a special plea of guilty Jan. 23, similar to no contest, meaning that he did not admit guilt but believed the chances were good that he would be convicted if the case were to go to trial.

Shimer could have received a maximum of five years in prison when sentenced Friday by Maricopa County Superior Judge Ronald Reinstein.

Karen Jo Curtis, 20, was tubing on the river with members of her family and friends when she was struck feet-first by Shimer, who had dived off a 100-foot-high cliff.

Vincent Kirby, an assistant Maricopa County attorney, had told Reinstein that Shimer admitted he did not have a good view of the river below him when he dived off the cliff. Shimer was traveling at an estimated 56 m.p.h. when he hit the woman, Kirby said.