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Trucker admits guilt in fatal crash

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Published: May 29, 2007 at 8:07 PM

MARION, Ind., May 29 (UPI) -- A truck driver pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless homicide for an Indiana crash that killed four students at a Christian college and an employee.

Robert Spencer of Canton, Mich., faces up to four years in prison for each death, The Detroit News reported. Under his plea agreement, Spencer could be sentenced to anything from probation to 24 years. Sentencing is scheduled for August.

Spencer had been driving for longer than the maximum time allowed by federal regulations when he fell asleep behind the wheel on Interstate 69 near Marion, Ind. His rig crossed the median into oncoming traffic and hit a van belonging to Taylor University, an evangelical college in Upland, Ind.

"It's an important step and a good outcome for each of the families," said Grant County Prosecutor James Luttrell Jr. of the plea agreement. "On the other hand, I have no illusion that it is filling the void of the loss of a loved one."

In addition to five counts of reckless homicide, Spencer pled guilty to four counts of criminal recklessness.

Topics: Robert Spencer
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