COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A young Ohio man posted an Internet confession to a drunken driving crash death, taking responsibility and imploring others to avoid his mistake.
Matthew Cordle, 22, of Columbus states in the video posted on the website becauseisaidiwould.com he had been drinking heavily on June 22 and drove his vehicle head-on into one driven by Vincent Canzani on Interstate 670, killing the 61-year-old photographer, The Columbus Dispatch reported Thursday.
"When I get charged, I will plead guilty and take full responsibility for everything I've done to Vincent and his family," Cordle says in the video.
"I won't dishonor Vincent's memory by lying about what happened."
He goes on to urge others to commit to not driving after drinking.
"I beg you, and I say the word 'beg' specifically, I'm begging you, please don't drink and drive," he says. "Don't make the same excuses that I did. Don't say its only a few miles or you've only had a few beers ... .
"I can't bring Mr. Canzani back and I can't erase what I have done, but you can still be saved. Your victims still can be saved."
Cordle's attorney, George Breitmayer III, said Thursday he hadn't known his client's plans to confess online.
"This video he released demonstrates his character, bravery and integrity, and I know he fully intends to cooperate with law enforcement and Franklin County prosecutors throughout the course of any future criminal proceedings," Breitmayer said.
Prosecutor Ron O'Brien called the confession "the most compelling video I think I have seen."
"He strikes me as remorseful and sincere," O'Brien said while adding he still intended to seek an indictment next week charging Cordle with aggravated vehicular homicide, which could net the young man two to eight years in prison.
The Dispatch said Canzani's two daughters could not be reached for comment.
