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14-Year Sentence Handed Down In Drunk Driving Case

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A Warsaw man will spend 14 years in prison for a charge of driving while intoxicated causing a death related to a Feb. 17 fatal accident.

Jeffrey Reed, 29, of 2441 W. CR 250S, Warsaw, was arrested for leaving the scene of the fatal accident in February.

Matthew E. Moore, 29, Rochester, was pronounced dead at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, from injuries he suffered in the two-vehicle accident.

Reed pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated causing a death, and a second charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident was dropped in Kosciusko Superior Court III Wednesday.

Reed received a 20-year prison sentence, but six years of the term were suspended for probation. He also receives good time credit and credit for time already served. He was ordered to pay a $1 fine, a $200 alcohol interdiction fee, $156.50 court costs and and unspecified restitution. His driver's license was suspended for five years, and he was ordered to enroll in a certified alcohol treatment program.

According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Moore was driving north on Ind. 19 Feb. 17 when Reed ran a stop sign, causing a collision. Moore's sport utility vehicle rolled over several times and he was ejected from the vehicle.

Reed left the scene of the accident but later abandoned his vehicle and was found walking on CR 100N near CR 525W. He told officers his car had a flat tire and he pulled it off into a field. Reed had the keys and registration to the vehicle involved in the accident in his possession when officers found him.

A passenger in Moore's vehicle, Darrell Hopkins, 39, was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital for minor injuries after the collision.