ST. GEORGE – A Hurricane man accused of killing a motorcycle rider in a fatal crash in May pleaded guilty in court Tuesday.
Robert J. Lounsbury, 51, pleaded guilty in Fifth District Court to a second-degree felony related to an automobile homicide involving negligence and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Lesser charges of driving with an alcohol-restricted driver’s license and failure to yield to traffic were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
The charges stem from a May 13 incident in which Lounsbury was southbound on 870 West in Hurricane and turned left at the 325 North intersection. This put the 1997 Buick LeSabre Lounsbury drove in the direct path of a northbound motorcycle ridden by Charles S. Vick, 64, also of Hurricane, resulting in a fatal collision between the two.
When Hurricane City Police and other responders arrived they found Vick’s 2007 Suzuki motorcycle on the ground, its rider also lying on the ground nearby and unresponsive.
Vick was taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center in critical condition by ambulance and pronounced dead soon after.
Lounsbury potentially faces up to 15 years in prison over the incident.
The court ordered a pre-sentencing investigation into Lounsbury’s general background that may include alternative sentencing recommendations.
Lounsbury’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 28.
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