By SYDNEY KENT
A Fort Wayne man, Keenan Robert Price-Flatt, 23, has pleaded guilty to causing death while operating a motor vehicle with a Schedule I or II controlled substance in his body, a Level 4 Felony, in April this year.
In the Wells County Circuit Court, Price-Flatt was sentenced to six years at the Indiana Department of Corrections with all six years suspended, and four years of probation. Due to the specifics of the case and compassion of those involved, Price-Flatt received a lighter sentence in comparison to the time he potentially could have faced for a Level 4 Felony– a maximum of 12 years.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Keenan Robert Price-Flatt, 23, was driving a medical supplies delivery van when he failed to stop at a stop sign. The van slammed into the side of a car driven by Rodney W. Bye, 89, Portland, causing both vehicles to spin out of control. Byes’ car traveled across the front lawn of the Poneto Fire Department, where Bye was trapped in the vehicle with fatal injuries.
The results of a toxicology test taken immediately after the accident showed Price-Flatt tested positive for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
During the hearing, Price-Flatts’ lawyer, John Watkins, explained that Price-Flatt showed no signs of inebriation at the time of the crash and that he had voluntarily abstained from marijuana since the accident occurred.
“The level of active THC ended up being 2.1 nanograms,” Watkins reported. “For context, many states have put the legal limit of active THC to 0.5 nanograms.”
“I don’t want to minimize the fact that this was a crime in the state of Indiana,” Watkins continued. “Sometimes the facts of the case are more egregious than what actually happened.”
Prosecutor Colin Andrews spoke on behalf of the family members of Merritt Bye, who died as a result of the crash.
“The family of the victim was very understanding,” Andrews began. “They were certainly mourning — there is the loss of a life there … They wanted the defendant to get treatment if he needed it. They were more worried about him and ensuring he got the help he needed.”
Price-Flatts told to the judge he understood the magnitude of the crime he had committed and that he had a deep sense of remorse.
“I wish the family were here today to give them a sincere apology to their face,” Price-Flatts said. “I can’t sleep at night sometimes. I will carry this with me for the rest of my life.”
Judge Kenton Kiracofe spoke to the ever-rising debate surrounding alcohol use and marijuana use — mainly if one substance is safer than the other substance. He commented: inebriated is inebriated.
In addition to Price-Flatt’s suspension and probation, Kiracofe ordered Price-Flatt to complete a substance abuse program and have his license suspended for two years, with a retroactive date going back to the date of the accident. Kiracofe addressed Price-Flatts, the father of two children, before he dismissed the hearing: “This does not have to be the defining point of your life.”
sydney@news-banner.com
