Kaplan's Kade Abshire pleads guilty to vehicular homicide

Kade Abshire of Kaplan pled guilty to vehicular homicide and is facing three to 30 years of prison.
Abshire was involved in a single-vehicle fatal crash on La. 35, south of Kaplan, which claimed the life of one of his best friends.
On July 1, 2012, at 3:20 a.m., 23-year-old Kade Abshire of Kaplan was driving a 1999 Chevrolet truck north on LA 35. Abshire entered a left curve and traveled off the right side of the road, which caused his vehicle to overturn. Abshire was not restrained and was ejected from the vehicle. The passenger in Abshire’s vehicle, 23-year-old Pete Johnson of Kaplan, who was also not restrained, died as a result of his injuries. He was pronounced dead by the Vermilion Parish Coroner.
Abshire was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Through their investigation, troopers discovered Abshire was under the influence of alcohol. When he was released from the hospital, Abshire was arrested for DWI 1st offense, vehicular homicide, careless operation and no seatbelt. Abshire’s blood alcohol level was found to be .160g%, twice the legal limit.
Assistant district attorney Stanton Hardee said a plea agreement was reached between Abshire and the state. The state reduced the alcohol amount found in his body from .16 to .15. By reducing it to .15, Abshire has to serve a mandatory sentence of three years without parole. Had the level been .16, he would have had to serve at least five years without parole.
A presentence investigation was ordered by Judge Durwood Conque to determine how to sentence Abshire. The presentence investigation is expected to take 30 to 90 days.
Abshire is out on bail until he is sentenced by Judge Conque.