motorcyclist in crash
February 24, 2010
A 22-year-old Pawling man admitted in court this
morning he was driving under the influence of
heroin and alcohol when he killed a motorcyclist in
a crash on Route 55 last summer.
Keith E. Johnson, of Little Pond Road, entered a
guilty plea in Dutchess County Court to vehicular
manslaughter, a felony.
Responding to questions from Judge Gerald V.
Hayes, Johnson said he lost control of his car as he
was driving on the highway on the night of July 27,
2009, crossed the center line and hit the
motorcycle, operated by Shane Smith, head-on.
Smith died in the crash.
The crime carries a maximum penalty of five to 15
years in state prison.
Hayes told Johnson he had read letters from his
friends and family members as well as from Smith’s
friends and family and would listen to arguments
from Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica Segal
and defense attorney D. James O’Neil. The judge
said he would then decide on an appropriate
sentence when Johnson returns to court April 22.
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