By Jim Hannah
Enquirer staff writer
WARSAW, Ky. - A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty Tuesday to causing a fatal automobile wreck as he was driving home from the Kentucky Derby two years ago.
Two people were killed and two others seriously injured in the multiple-car crash just after midnight on May 6, 2002, on Interstate 71 near Glencoe, Ky.
Vincent Rutledge of Price Hill pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of fourth-degree assault.
The original charges of wanton murder, which could have sent Rutledge to prison for life, were reduced to second-degree manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. A driving-under-the influence charge also was dropped.
Rutledge, who remains free on bond, will be sentenced at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Gallatin Circuit Court.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jane Sora will recommend that Rutledge serve 13 years in prison. He would be eligible to appear before the parole board after serving 20 percent of that time.
"I'm satisfied with the plea agreement," said Sora. "I was ready to go to trial when I received a call Monday saying the defense counsel was interested in pleading."
Police said Rutledge's blood-alcohol level was 0.20, more than double the legal limit of 0.08, when he struck the rear of a BMW on the highway. The BMW swerved into oncoming traffic and struck a 1991 Ford Aerostar van head-on.
A passenger in the BMW, Carmen Williams, 42, of Elmwood Place, died at the scene.
Richard Moskwa, 24, of Hazel Park, Mich., who was riding in the Aerostar, died at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. Moskwa's father, Richard Sr., who was driving, suffered serious injuries but survived. A third person in the Aerostar was also treated for injuries.
Matthew Burton of Amberley Village, who was driving the BMW, was later charged with wanton murder for his part in the wreck. Prosecutors say blood tests indicated he also was driving drunk. Burton is scheduled to stand trial in Gallatin Circuit Court Oct. 4.
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E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com
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