A woman admitted Monday she was drunk when a passenger in her car was killed.
Melinda Burton, 30, of Scranton pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle and DUI, admitting that by driving drunk and crashing her car on Interstate 81 in July, 2008. She killed her passenger and friend, Robert Moran.
Members of Robert Moran's family were there to hear the plea.
"It was good to hear her say that she killed him because for the last 15 months she's been acting like she's done nothing wrong," said sister Jean Moran. She now wears her younger brother's picture on a necklace around her neck.
Burton, Robert Moran and another friend had been out in Scranton the night of the crash and Burton was driving them home.
Police said she was driving in the wrong lane on Interstate 81 northbound, going 81 miles per hour when she crashed near the Davis Street exit.
Burton and the other passenger were injured. Moran was killed.
"It's too difficult. I just want it to be over with already," said Amanda Greenwood. Moran's girlfriend of five years said the last 15 months have been incredibly emotional. "He was a good guy. He always helped everybody out."
Police said Burton's blood alcohol content was .181, more than twice the legal limit.
"In drunk driving cases I don't think anyone intends to hurt anyone, but by making that decision to get behind the wheel, you are inevitably going to do that," said Assistant District Attorney Corey Kolcharno.
Burton faces up to nine-and-a-half years in prison and up to $25,500 in fines.
She is under house arrest.
Melinda Burton, 30, of Scranton pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle and DUI, admitting that by driving drunk and crashing her car on Interstate 81 in July, 2008. She killed her passenger and friend, Robert Moran.
Members of Robert Moran's family were there to hear the plea.
"It was good to hear her say that she killed him because for the last 15 months she's been acting like she's done nothing wrong," said sister Jean Moran. She now wears her younger brother's picture on a necklace around her neck.
Burton, Robert Moran and another friend had been out in Scranton the night of the crash and Burton was driving them home.
Police said she was driving in the wrong lane on Interstate 81 northbound, going 81 miles per hour when she crashed near the Davis Street exit.
Burton and the other passenger were injured. Moran was killed.
"It's too difficult. I just want it to be over with already," said Amanda Greenwood. Moran's girlfriend of five years said the last 15 months have been incredibly emotional. "He was a good guy. He always helped everybody out."
Police said Burton's blood alcohol content was .181, more than twice the legal limit.
"In drunk driving cases I don't think anyone intends to hurt anyone, but by making that decision to get behind the wheel, you are inevitably going to do that," said Assistant District Attorney Corey Kolcharno.
Burton faces up to nine-and-a-half years in prison and up to $25,500 in fines.
She is under house arrest.
