WASHINGTON – An Annapolis man has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving while intoxicated in the March crosswalk death of a D.C. woman.
Joel R. Bromwell, 32, entered his plea in D.C. Superior Court Wednesday, according to U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen’s office.
When he is sentenced in August, Bromwell faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Prosecutors say Bromwell was speeding when his SUV hit 71-year-old Ruby Whitfield as she and two other people crossed Florida Avenue NE at 11th Street on the evening of March 21.
Whitfield was using a marked crosswalk and all other traffic had stopped to let the pedestrians pass. She had just left church, prosecutors say.
Bromwell hit Whitfield without stopping, dragging her more than 80 feet.
A witness caught up with Bromwell at a red light and told him that he had just hit someone and should return to the crash scene. Bromwell drove off instead.
Police found Bromwell and his SUV a short time later.
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