Harris Changes Pleas To Guilty In Fatal Hit And Run

A Minnesota man has changed his plea to guilty in a fatal hit-and-run case. 28-year old James Harris pleaded guilty to charges of second degree manslaughter and drunk driving for striking and killing 16-year-old Zachary Eichstadt of De Smet. Charges of vehicular homicide and hit and run were dismissed in the plea deal. Eichstadt and three others were walking home from a football game on September 23rd of last year when Harris, who admitted in court to being highly intoxicated at the time struck Eichstadt with his pick truck so hard, one of Eichstadt’s shoes became lodged under Harris’ truck. Gass says Harris’ blood alcohol content was point-two-five, However defense attorney Jeff Burns countered that the B-A-C was obtained well after the accident. Kingsbury County States Attorney Gregg Gass asked Judge Jon Erickson to consider restitution for medical expenses as a part of any sentence. Gass also recommended Harris’ sentences be served concurrently The Anoka, Minnesota man could face up to 10 years in prison and a 20-thousand dollar fine when he is sentenced April 3rd in De Smet. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered by Erickson. Pending approval of Prosecutor Gregg Gass, sentencing will be open to expanded electronic media coverage including video. The case had been previously opened to such coverage if it went to trial.