The Monmouth County man who survived a grisly crash on Route 34 in Holmdel that left a driver from Old Bridge dead has accepted a guilty plea to vehicular homicide, and awaits an April 1 sentencing date.

Townsquare Digital
Townsquare Digital
loading...

In a Monmouth County courtroom in Freehold, Robert A. Pennington, 51, of Marlboro, also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, according to the office of acting County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

Prosecutors will recommend seven years in prison, with a provision to serve at least 85 percent of the ultimate sentence before parole eligibility, under New Jersey's "No Early Release Act."

Pennington admitted that on December 5, 2014, he drank more than seven beers at the Fantasies gentleman's club in Keyport, climbed into his 2008 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, drove recklessly along Route 34 and collided with the 2008 Hyundai Accent driven by Siva Kovvuri of Parlin.

According to authorities, Pennington's post-crash blood sample revealed a blood alcohol content of .258 percent, more than three times New Jersey's legal limit.

Investigators determined that Pennington, southbound near East Lawn Drive, swerved across the double-yellow dividing line on a slight curve, into the path of Kovvuri's vehicle.

Despite being secured by a seat restraint, Kovvuri sustained traumatic injuries to the head, torso and extremities and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pennington was treated at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel and released without injuries. He posted $100,000 bail after his December 2014 arrest.

More From 92.7 WOBM