Feb 17, 2015 2 min read

An Ellsworth man accused of striking and killing a woman along Route 917 in Ellsworth in August pleaded guilty Tuesday to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison.

Robert Lee Myers Jr., 42, of A-15 Scott Drive, also pleaded guilty to DUI and driving while under suspension before Common Pleas Judge Gary Gilman. He was accused of striking Brittany Marie Chapman, 29, of Scenery Hill Aug. 15 as she walked homed from a local tavern. Chapman died at the scene. Her death was ruled a vehicular homicide by Washington County Coroner Tim Warco.

Myers was traveling north in the southbound lane of Route 917 when he went off the road, hitting Chapman. He then fled the scene. The crash was reported by an area resident. Another motorist provided police with the license plate number that belonged to the pickup truck Myers was driving after their vehicles nearly collided. Myers did not own the vehicle and did not have permission to drive it, police said.

Chapman’s boyfriend, Anthony J. Stetz, 53, of VanVoorhis, came to the crash scene and caused a disturbance. He was arrested on charges including aggravated assault after he pushed a state trooper. He has yet to appear before a judge on the matter.

First Assistant District Attorney Chad Schneider said Chapman’s family was not present for the hearing, but they were notified Tuesday Myers agreed to accept the plea agreement. Schneider said Chapman’s family was aware of the plea offer for sometime.

In addition to the prison sentence, Myers was ordered to pay $600 in restitution to help Chapman’s family with funeral expenses.

Myers was in Washington County jail, where he will remain until he is transferred to a state prison.