A Center Township man is facing up to four years in prison after pleading guilty to driving drunk and killing a Rockville, Ind., motorcyclist in an accident last year, the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said.

David Corbett, 61, with a listed address of 225 W. U.S. Highway 30, has pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content over .08 percent and causing death, a Class C felony punishable by a term of two to eight years, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Bennett told the Chesterton Tribune.

Under the plea agreement, incarceration would be capped at four years with any balance of the sentence served on formal probation, Bennett said.

According to the Porter County Sheriff’s Police, at 1:43 p.m. June 21, 2011, Corbett was westbound on C.R. 600S in Pleasant Township when he disregarded the stop sign at the intersection of Ind. 49 and his 1995 Mitsubishi Montero collided with Howard Schwartz, 61, who was northbound on Ind. 49 on his 2003 Harley Davidson.

Schwartz was pronounced dead at the scene.

Corbett advised at the time that he was westbound on C.R. 600S and approaching the intersection, police said. “He believed the roadway was clear and looked both ways, then continued forward. (Corbett) stated he didn’t see a headlight and was struck by the motorcycle. (Corbett) stated on multiple occasions . . . that he ran the stop sign and the crash was his fault.”

Police said that Corbett showed signs of intoxication, failed several field sobriety tests, and registered a B.A.C. of .10 percent on a portable breath test. Corbett subsequently consented to a blood draw, two of which were conducted at Porter hospital, one at 3:30 p.m., the second at 4:01 p.m.

Corbett was also charged with driving while suspended-prior, police said.

Posted 11/23/2012