KENT, Wash. – A man with a history of drunk driving arrests pleaded guilty Wednesday for a crash that killed two students set to graduate high school last year.
Alexander Peder faces a maximum of eight-and-a-half years in prison for vehicular homicide in the deaths of Derek King and Nicholas Hodgins. Because of his guilty plea, he could face less time when he is sentenced in March.
King, Hodgins and the driver of their car, Anthony Beaver, were on I-5 near Southcenter when the car stalled and they couldn't make it to the shoulder. Beaver turned on his emergency blinkers. Peder's SUV ran into the back of their car, said the Washington State Patrol.
Beaver survived the crash.
Charging documents indicate Peder's blood-alcohol level was .16 shortly after the crash, which is twice the legal limit in Washington state. Court papers say a half-empty vodka bottle was found in Peder's vehicle, along with a receipt showing it was purchased six hours earlier.
It was Peder's third DUI arrest. His first two cases were plea-bargained to lesser charges.
Wednesday, the courtroom was packed with family and friends of the victims, wearing t-shirts with the teens' pictures on them. They are advocating for state DUI laws to change.
"My life is ruined," said Hodgins' father, Darrell, in reaction to the plea. "Nothing can bring my son back. It's ruined all of our lives. Something has to change."
King and Hodgins were set to graduate from Decatur High School just three days after the crash.
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