LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - An Elizabethtown man pleaded guilty Monday to driving drunk and causing a Valentine's Day crash that killed a 24-year-old father and his infant son.
Samuel F. Rodriguez, 42, of 165 Stone Mill Road, was scheduled to have a pretrial hearing before Judge Joseph C. Madenspacher but instead entered a straight, or "open," plea to two counts each of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and one summary count each of driving on the wrong side of the road and driving at an unsafe speed.
An open plea means there is no deal in place with the prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Todd Brown.
Rodriguez admitted to driving drunk, speeding, crossing the centerline and causing the Feb. 14 crash that killed Thadeus N. "Tad" Eckerd and his infant son, Ethan Tyler Eckerd.
Rodriguez's attorney, Jeffery Wallitsch, said his client would reserve comment until the sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
Judge Madenspacher ordered a presentence investigation into Rodriguez's background.
Susquehanna Regional police say Rodriguez was traveling north on Route 743 at 4:58 p.m. in a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan when it crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Mr. Eckerd.
Mr. Eckerd was killed at the scene. His son died two days later at Hershey Medical Center from traumatic brain injuries.
According to a police report filed by Officer Joshua L. Rapp and Lt. Stephen Englert, Rodriguez said he drank about three beers at a Columbia bar prior to the accident. His blood-alcohol level, police said, was .18, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
At a preliminary hearing in May, a witness testified Rodriguez was speeding prior to the collision, which occurred in the 100 block of South River Street in East Donegal Township.
Witness Jennie Barnds of Rheems was traveling in front of the Eckerds' car and said because of Rodriguez's excessive speed and the rainy weather that day, she was concerned Rodriguez could not successfully negotiate a curve.
Barnds, who said she travels the road three times a week, estimated the minivan was traveling about 60 mph; the posted speed limit is 35 mph. She said she saw the collision after Rodriguez's vehicle passed hers and entered the southbound lane.
Another witness, Gail Fridy of Marietta, testified she was traveling north on River Street before the accident. She said Rodriguez's minivan swerved in front of her vehicle. Fridy said she applied her brakes to avoid crashing into the minivan.
Fridy said that when she learned about the accident later that evening, she returned to the scene to find out if Rodriguez's minivan was involved. She then gave a statement to police.
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