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A man accused of killing two passengers in his car after hitting a tree while driving drunk has pleaded guilty to a Class C felony in the case.
James R. Kline, 27, formerly of North Manchester, was expected to go to trial next month. Instead, he pleaded guilty Monday in Kosciusko Superior Court to one count of driving while intoxicated and causing a death. Through a plea agreement, a second count of the offense would be dismissed.
Kline was the driver of a car which left the roadway and struck a tree Dec. 31, 1994, on CR 350W, south of U.S. 30. His brother, Kevin W. Kline, and another passenger, Christopher A. Jackson, were ejected from the wreckage and died as a result of the injuries they suffered.
James Kline's blood-alcohol level was reportedly .18 percent at the time of the accident. A person whose blood-alcohol level is .10 percent or greater is considered legally drunk in Indiana.
A sentencing hearing is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 6. Kline faces a maximum sentence of eight years.
