The Muncie Star Press is reporting that Andrew Saunders, son of state Rep. Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville), is expected to plead guilty today. (Actually the article says the hearing was set for 10:30 this morning, so presumably it has already happened.)
Saunders is charged with three felonies: Failure to stop after accident resulting in death, causing death while operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and reckless homicide.
Authorities allege he was driving home on Feb. 4, after an evening of drinking at the New Castle Elks Lodge, when he struck Thomas Michael Jackman, 56, who was walking in front of the Marsh Supermarket along South 14th Street. Jackman died the following day in an Indianapolis hospital.
Update Here is the follow up story in the Muncie Star Press. According to the article, Andy Saunders “pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rush County Circuit Court to leaving an accident that resulted in death, a Class C felony, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor. He could face up to nine years in prison for those charges.”
The charges of reckless homicide and causing a death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated were dropped. Apparently the DUI was originally charged as a felony before it was reduced to a misdemeanor under the plea agreement.
Jackman’s mother has filed a civil suit against the Elks Lodge where Saunders had been drinking.
Earlier posts on the subject here, here, here, here, and here,
Leave a Reply