Fort Wayne, Ind. (ADAMS) – A man from Huntington pleaded guilty to being drunk while behind the wheel of a van when it crashed in October, killing two children and hurting several more.
According to Allen County Superior Court on Wednesday, 52-year-old Todd W. James admitted to two felony counts of Causing Death When Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. In the early hours of October 1st, he was driving a van that crashed on S.R. 1. 21-year-old Harvey M. Schwartz and 17-year-old Louis E. Schwartz, both of South Whitley, were killed.
Police reported finding the scene on the 14000 block of S.R. 1 near Amstutz Road in Leo. 16 people were in the van at the time of the crash, nine of them were children.
That morning, officers reported noticing a “moderate to strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” on him, and noted his eyes were “watery and bloodshot.”
James’ blood alcohol level was tested at 0.13 percent, according to police.
James now faces 4 to 12 years behind bars. His sentencing is scheduled for January 19th in Allen County Superior Court.
