A West Deer man who was driving under the influence of marijuana pleaded guilty Wednesday to homicide by vehicle for a 2019 crash that killed his passenger.
Carl Keating, 33, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth A. Lazzara on Aug. 10.
She said he is likely facing time in state prison.
Keating was speeding in a 1992 Honda Civic on Route 8 in Hampton around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2019, when police said he lost control of the car and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.
His vehicle struck a car and a pickup, and his passenger Rebecca Koorsen, 28, of Glenshaw, was killed.
On Wednesday, Keating pleaded guilty to more than a dozen counts, although the prosecution withdrew a count of homicide by vehicle while DUI, which would have carried a mandatory prison term.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Hillary Weaver asked Lazzara to revoke Keating’s bond after he was charged last month with another marijuana-related DUI by the state police.
Defense attorney Andy Howard asked the court to allow Keating to surrender his driver’s license instead of sending him to jail.
Howard told the court that his client has a prescription for medical marijuana, has a significant mental health history and strong support from his family.
“When he needs help, he seeks it,” Howard said. “I feel if his bond is revoked, it will have a negative impact on his progress.”
Lazzara, however, said that surrendering a driver’s license does not stop people from driving.
“The road to hell, Mr. Howard, is paved with good intentions,” she said.
The judge noted that Keating had graduated from mental health court, which Lazzara presides over, in 2015.
“It’s very disappointing to see Mr. Keating in this position,” she said.
Lazzara told the defendant she didn’t trust that he wouldn’t drive, or know when he’s impaired.
“There’s already a death on his hands,” she said, ordering Keating to be taken into custody. “There will not be two.”
