Local man pleads guilty to homicide by vehicle
Jeffrey Scot Leadbeater has entered a general guilty plea to homicide by vehicle in Fayette County court. Leadbeater, 31, of 9 Delvereese St., Fairchance, hit a vehicle driven by Joseph J. Louie, 77 of Uniontown, head on last May 19 along Walnut Hill Road in South Union Township.
State police trooper Christopher Babirad said that Leadbeater was driving a 1992 GMC Safari when he hit Louie’s 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass.
Leadbeater, according to Babirad, crossed the double yellow line and hit Louie’s car head on. Police said Leadbeater did not have a driver’s license at the time of the accident.
Babirad’s affidavit indicates that Leadbeater’s license was suspended.
Charles Anthony Louie, who was the front seat passenger in Louie’s vehicle told police that Leadbeater’s car was several feet over the center line when he hit them.
In addition to homicide by vehicle, Leadbeater also pleaded guilty to accidents involving death while not properly licensed and three summary traffic offenses.
Because Leadbeater’s plea was entered generally, it will be up to Judge Ralph C. Warman to hand down a sentence.
Leadbeater was represented by attorney Nicholas Timperio and Assistant District Attorney Robert Eugene Grimm represented the commonwealth.
Warman will sentence Leadbeater at a later date.