Pocono News Section

Woman Pleads Guilty to Causing Deadly DUI Crash

Woman Pleads Guilty to Causing Deadly DUI Crash - Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:10PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Oct 26, 2009 @ 06:10pm EDT
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- It was an emotional day for the family of a drunk driving victim in Lackawanna County. They were in court as Melinda Sue Burton admitted her guilt.

Burton pleaded guilty to several charges including homicide by vehicle and reckless endangerment. It all stems from a deadly drunk driving crash on Interstate 81 last July.

Minutes after walking into court Monday, Melinda Burton took responsibility for a deadly crash from last July.

Prosecutors say she was drunk, when she caused a wreck on Interstate 81. Jean Moran, the victimÕs sister, said, ÒI was finally glad to hear her say she killed him because for the last 15 months, she's been acting like she did absolutely nothing wrong."

Burton's passenger, 26-year-old Robert Moran, was killed in the wreck. His family and friends choked back tears in court Monday. RobertÕs former girlfriend Amanda Greenwood said, ÒHe was a good guy. He always helped everybody out."

Prosecutors say Burton was twice the legal limit and driving 82mph when the deadly wreck took place.

When she's sentenced Burton faces 9 and 1/2 years in prison. Assistant District Attorney Corey Kolcharno said, ÒWe're going to be pushing for as much potential jail time as possible to at least send a message."

In the meantime Robert Moran's family holds his picture close to their hearts with lockets. ÓI just want to see her go to jail and have to pay for what she did. She took our brother and son away from us, my children's uncle, so I want her to sit in jail away from her kids and see how it is," added sister Jean.

ÒShe needs to pay for what she did. ItÕs already been over a year. ItÕs just hard for us to sit here and watch her walk the streets," said Greenwood.

Melinda Burton is currently on house arrest and electronic monitoring after the deadly crash. Her sentencing date has not yet been set.