SAN JOSE, Calif., June 26 (UPI) -- A California sheriff's deputy who said he fell asleep at the wheel of his patrol car has been sentenced to four months house arrest for killing two cyclists.
Clara County Deputy James "Tommy" Council pleaded guilty to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in the 2008 deaths of Matt Peterson, 29 and Kristy Gough, 30, the San Jose Mercury News reported Friday.
A third cyclist, Christopher Knapp, 20, suffered two broken limbs when the trio was struck by Council's car.
In return for the gilty plea, Council received a sentence of four months of house arrest and 20 months of community service from Judge David A. Cena.
"I take full responsibility for this tragic accident and there's nothing I could ever say or do to replace the loss," Council told the court.
Council's attorney said his client suffers from mild sleep apnea and had come to work with a bad cold the day of the accident.
