An Aumsville man has pleaded guilty to fatally striking a pedestrian in Salem in 2023. He faces up to 10 years in prison during sentencing in March.
Eric Raymond Webb, 51, pleaded guilty Feb. 12 in Marion County Circuit Court to criminally negligent homicide, DUII, failure to perform duties of a driver to seriously injured persons, and aggravated driving while suspended or revoked.
Webb was scheduled for trial that day on charges including first-degree manslaughter, which carries a minimum of 10 years in prison.
He is now scheduled for sentencing March 21 before Judge Tracy Prall. According to a plea agreement, Prall will be asked to consider a sentence of between 70 months and 10 years in prison.
Webb was arrested Jan. 21, 2023, after striking Julia Aubrey Wade, 26, of Salem, that night at the intersection of Lancaster Drive and Rickey Street SE in Salem. Wade was hospitalized in critical condition.She died from her injuries April 27, 2023.
According to court records, Webb’s blood tested positive for alcohol, opioid painkillers, a muscle relaxant and anti-seizure medication following his arrest. If the case had gone to trial, Webb’s public defender was prepared to challenge the legitimacy of those test results.
