Audrain County man pleads guilty in fatal July crash; sentenced to treatment program, probation remains on table
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
An Audrain County man pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple counts in relation with a fatal crash in July, according to a press release from the Audrain County prosecutor’s office.
Joshua Frye, 24, of Mexico, Missouri, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of two people, reckless driving and DWI causing serious injury.
The release from Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellaberger says Frye must complete a 120-day treatment program and could be released while serving five years of probation if he completes the course. Otherwise, a 15-year prison sentence is on the table. Shellaberger wrote that the families of the victims opposed Frye’s plea agreement.
“The victim’s families spoke at sentencing, indicating they wanted Frye to face the maximum possible punishment, that they would never see their family members again, and that it was unjust that Frye would get to walk free again,” Shellabarger said in the release. “Those family members opposed the plea agreement, wanting Joshua Frye to serve prison time without the treatment program or possibility of probation.”
Frye admitted to killing Austin Terry, 27, and Kristian Pritchett, 22, and seriously injuring another man on July 12.
Court documents in previous reporting indicate that both Pritchett and Terry were in the car with Frye. Court documents allege that Frye drove a Kia Soul southbound on Clark Street when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a Chrysler in the northbound lane.