A Jasper man has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a fatal crash that claimed three lives a year ago.
On Sunday November 13th last year 46 year old David Rinehart of Newburgh was south on I69 in Greene County. He hit a deer and pulled onto the shoulder. After that, a pickup driven by 19-year-old Mason Hartke of Jasper approached and left the southbound lane and went onto the shoulder hitting the passenger car.
Three people in the car, a man his mother and daughter died as a result of the crash. They were 46-year-old David Rinehart, 74-year-old Ruth Rinehart and 17-year-old Sophie Rinehart all of Newburgh.
Hartke appeared for a change of plea hearing in Greene County yesterday to plead guilty for causing the crash. He was immediately sentenced to five years each on three counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death with 4 and ½ half years suspended.
The Dubois County Free Press reports his blood alcohol content was recorded at .16 percent about two hours after the crash occurred. Police reports indicated he had been drinking heavily at Indiana University before deciding to drive home to Jasper.
Several members of the Rhinehart family spoke at the hearing forgiving Hartke for his actions.