DARLINGTON - A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty Tuesday to vehicular homicide after he killed an Iowa man while driving drunk in 2016.
John Drew Brewington, 24, Salem, pleaded guilty to a Class D felony count of homicide by the intoxicated use of a vehicle and a misdemeanor count of causing injury while driving drunk. A Class G felony count of homicide by the negligent use of a vehicle was dismissed.
Brewington’s charges stem from a vehicle collision on Sept. 24, 2016, when he crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on in the 14000 block of Wis. 11, Town of Gratiot.
The other vehicle was driven by Cameron J. Paddock, 22, Monticello, Iowa, who was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque.
A passenger in Paddock’s vehicle, Monika L. Gorham, 23, Roscoe, Illinois, sustained minor injuries as well.
Brewington appeared in court Tuesday with his attorney Guy Taylor. Several members of Paddock’s and Brewington’s families were in attendance.
Taylor said he and Lafayette County District Attorney Jenna Gill had reached a joint recommendation for Brewington’s sentence: three years of incarceration followed by seven years of supervision, as well as revoked driving privileges for five years.
Lafayette County Circuit Judge Duane Jorgenson said that, based on the severity of the charges, a pre-sentencing investigation would be prudent. The results of that investigation, and Brewington’s sentence will be revealed on Oct. 5.
Until then, Brewington remains free on a $50,000 signature bond with conditions that he not possess or consume any alcohol or controlled substance. The maximum possible sentence for the charges to which he pleaded guilty is 15 years in prison.