Kerri Ann Cox pleaded guilty yesterday to killing William Beigh, 61, Warsaw, in a collision July 2011 on Detroit Street.
Cox, 35, of 2708 William Drive, Warsaw, agreed to six years in prison and four years probation for the death of Beigh. Cox pleaded guilty to causing the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle, a Class C felony, as a lesser included offense of causing the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle, a Class B felony; and possession of a narcotic drug, a Class D felony.
As per the plea agreement the state will dismiss the remaining two counts of possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony, if the plea agreement is accepted by Senior Judge Michael L. Sposeep. In addition Cox will lose her right to drive for five years.
Judge Sposeep set the sentencing for July 26, 2:30 p.m.
On July 30, 2011, Cox, who was driving a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder, failed to stop at the intersection of Center and Detroit streets, Warsaw. As a result she slammed into a vehicle driven by Roger E. Middleton, 1603 Dot Street, Warsaw; Middleton’s vehicle then hit the mo-ped that Beigh was riding, causing him to hit the windshield of Middleton’s vehicle.
Beigh was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital and later transported to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, in critical condition. Beigh died at just before 9:30 p.m. at Parkview Hospital.
Beigh was not wearing a helmet.
Investigators found that Cox had Methadone, a schedule II narcotic, on her person at the time of the collision. Additionally investigators found that Cox tested positive for cannabinoids in her system at the time of the collision. Cox admitted in court that she had used marijuana in the days before the collision.
