Eric A. Mitchell smoked marijuana before the February 2013 accident that claimed the life of his fiancee, and must spend time in prison as a result, a Schuylkill County judge ruled this month.
Mitchell, 20, of Lake Wynonah, pleaded guilty July 18 to involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and four counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and one each of homicide by vehicle while DUI, disregarding traffic lane, failure to drive at a safe speed and careless driving.
In a separate case, Mitchell pleaded guilty to DUI, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of stop sign violation and careless driving.
Judge James P. Goodman accepted the plea and sentenced Mitchell to serve 11 to 22 months in prison and two additional years on probation, pay costs, $2,000 in fines, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $920 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, and perform 40 hours community service.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Mitchell with being under the influence of marijuana when he lost control of his car at 9:49 a.m. Feb. 15, 2013, while driving north on Route 183 at Lutz Valley Road in Reedsville, Wayne Township.
Police said Mitchell’s car, a Mazda 3, crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck being driven by Tina Walker, Fredericksburg.
Courtney L. Hengen, 22, of Auburn, Mitchell’s fiancee and front-seat passenger, died shortly after arrival at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where she had been flown after the accident.
Mitchell and his infant passenger, Ryan A. Mitchell, suffered minor injuries in the accident and were taken to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street for treatment, police said.
Walker and her passenger, William W. Walker II, had to be flown to Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, for treatment of major and moderate injuries, according to police.
In the second case, state police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Mitchell was DUI on Jan. 20 in Cressona.
· Name: Eric A. Mitchell
· Age: 20
· Residence: Lake Wynonah
· Crimes committed: Involuntary manslaughter, two counts of driving under the influence and four of recklessly endangering another person
· Prison sentence: 11 to 22 months in prison, plus two additional years on probation