Ethan C. Kennedy admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that he was drunk when he drove his sport utility vehicle into a Butler Township house, injuring its owner, in August 2013.
Kennedy, 30, of Mahanoy City, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault by vehicle, driving under the influence, reckless driving and disregarding traffic lanes.
Prosecutors withdrew charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, driving under suspension, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility and two counts of prohibited passing.
President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted the plea but did not immediately sentence Kennedy, saying he wanted to hear from the victim in the case before doing so.
Kennedy, who wore a prison jumpsuit, said little during Wednesday’s hearing except that he understood his plea and that he entered it knowingly and voluntarily.
Butler Township police filed the charges against Kennedy as the result of the incident on Aug. 20, 2013, in Fountain Springs.
Police said Kennedy was intoxicated while driving north on Route 61 at a high rate of speed when his SUV crossed into and over the southbound lane. Kennedy’s SUV went into a grassy area, sideswiped a tree, became airborne and crashed into the 919 Fountain St. home of David Kulp, police said.
At Kennedy’s preliminary hearing on Nov. 20, 2013, Kulp testified he has no memory of what occurred.
“I was sitting in my recliner and the next thing I remember is waking up in Geisinger (Medical Center, Danville),” Kulp said.
Police said emergency personnel had to dig out Kulp from under debris in his home before taking him to Geisinger for treatment of his injuries.
Defendant: Ethan C. Kennedy
Age: 30
Residence: Mahanoy City
Crimes committed: Aggravated assault by vehicle, driving under the influence, reckless driving and disregarding traffic lane