INDIANA CO., Pa. — Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi announced on Monday that Warren Miller, 43, of Hastings, entered a guilty plea to the lead charge of Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence, a felony of the first degree.
The defendant was scheduled to face a jury on Monday, December 19, but, instead, entered a guilty plea to the lead charge.
On October 12, 2020, the defendant Miller operated his Chevy Malibu in Green Township, Indiana County while under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana.
Several witnesses noted his erratic driving.
The defendant left his lane of travel and entered into the on-coming lane, striking the victim’s car head-on.
Emergency services and members of the Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to the crash scene. Both the victim and defendant had to be extricated from their vehicles.
The victim was rushed to IRMC but succumbed to the injuries from the crash. The defendant was taken to Conemaugh Hospital by life flight to undergo surgery. A test of his blood determined that the defendant has taken methamphetamine and marijuana prior to the crash.
“This defendant made the choice to use drugs and then drive his car through our county. His choice cost the victim his life and the victim’s family everything they had to look forward to with victim in their lives” said Manzi. “This guilty plea to Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, a first-degree felony, and the sentencing this afternoon will close the criminal proceedings against the defendant and, hopefully, help the family continue in the healing process.”
Sentencing is scheduled at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, December 19.
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