Driver Pleads Guilty In Fatal Accident

Sat., Dec. 2, 2000

From Staff

A Post Falls man has pleaded guilty to causing a U.S. Highway 95 crash that killed a 4-year-old boy earlier this year.

Eric Douglas Anderton, 22, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter Thursday before 1st District Judge James Judd.

Kootenai County prosecutors said Anderton was driving southbound on Highway 95 on May 20 near Silverwood Theme Park when his 1995 Honda Civic crossed into the northbound lane and struck a van head-on.

Four-year-old passenger Charlie Miner of Beaverton, Ore., died at the scene.

Idaho State Police said Anderton’s blood-alcohol content was .19, more than double the legal limit of .08.

Anderton also should not have been driving that day, police said. His license had been suspended in November 1999 in connection with a drunken-driving charge.

Public Defender Lynn Nelson said no sentencing recommendation has been agreed upon.

Anderton faces up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Anderton has agreed to pay restitution for medical expenses, the funeral cost and damage to the victim’s vehicle, he said.

A sentencing has been scheduled for March 8.

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