Chicago Driver Admits Killing Elderly Pedestrian
CROWN POINT, Ind. (CBS) -- A 27-year-old man pleaded guilty to reckless homicide on Friday, admitting he struck an elderly pedestrian in Hammond, Ind., two years ago.
Kevin M. Rodriguez of Chicago admitted he was driving his pickup truck recklessly and speeding at the intersection of 106th Street, Indianapolis Boulevard and State Line Road, on March 28, 2009. He admitted he failed to watch for pedestrians and struck Zivojan Mitrovich, 78, who was crossing the street.
Mitrovich died at the scene from multiple blunt force trauma.
Rodriguez, whose jury trial had been scheduled to begin Feb. 7, pleaded guilty Friday to the charge, which is punishable by a maximum eight-year sentence.
Under terms of his plea agreement, Rodriguez faces a maximum four-year sentence. Defense attorney Karen Coulis and deputy prosecutor John Burke will argue an appropriate sentence on March 25. Judge Salvador Vasquez took the plea agreement under advisement.
It calls for the dismissal of charges of causing death when operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of at least .08 percent and failure to stop at an accident involving death.
(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)
