Bellefonte Woman Pleads Guilty in Beech Creek Township DUI Homicide Case

LOCK HAVEN – A Bellefonte woman has entered a guilty plea in Clinton County Court to a number of criminal offenses relating to a fatal January 13, 2017 motor vehicle accident in Beech Creek Township.

Nycole Dawn Meeker was one of the drivers in a two-car crash on Route 150. Some 12 days after the two-vehicle crash, the other driver, Robert “Bob” Rote, 80, of Howard, succumbed to injuries related to the collision in the vicinity of 1440 Eagle Valley Road.

Meeker, 32, appeared Monday before Clinton County President Judge Craig P. Miller. She entered guilty pleas to a number of criminal offenses stemming from the fatal accident: one count of homicide by vehicle while DUI, a felony of the second degree; accident involving death or injury while not properly licensed, a felony of the third degree; driving under the influence of controlled substances, an ungraded misdemeanor and driving while suspended, a summary offense.

In reciting the plea being entered by Meeker, Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse commented that there was no plea agreement on the sentence that Meeker can receive in the case, meaning she can be incarcerated for up to 17 and ½ years in state prison. Strouse also told the court that the law imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of no less than three years for homicide by vehicle while DUI.

In entering her plea, Meeker admitted to driving a vehicle and ultimately causing the vehicle crash while under the influence of the byproducts of heroin, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and hydroxyine, all controlled substances.

Meeker’s sentencing is scheduled before President Judge Miller on July 16.

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