A Putnam County man and former West Virginia University student pleaded guilty this week to two felony charges stemming from a deadly accident in January in Morgantown.
Alexander Hambrick pleaded guilty on Monday to leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving under the influence of alcohol, causing death. All total, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Police said that Hambrick was intoxicated in January when he hit Carli Sears, a 20-year-old woman from Charleston, with his pickup truck as she walked down Stewart Street in Morgantown. She was rushed to a local hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after.
Hambrick turned himself in to Morgantown Police a day later.
Carli Sears' mother, Julia Sears, said she's grateful that Hambrick pleaded guilty and she won't have to relive the details of the accident during a lengthy trial. As the family prepares to celebrate Christmas, Julia Sears said the accident continues to weigh heavy on their minds.
"You can't run from this, and I'm not the kind of person who is going to lock myself up in a room and hug a pillow and cry all day long," Julia Sears said. "That's not me and that would not make me feel good."
In the months following her daughter's death, she has remained close with her daughter's friends. Carli Sears was a student at Ole Miss, and this would have been her senior year at the university. Julia Sears has returned to the campus multiple times since her daughter's death, finding comfort in talking to her daughter's friends.
"I'm trying very hard to find something positive from this experience," Julia Sears said. "I know that probably sounds very awkward, some may think it's inappropriate. But I feel like anger and resentment and all of these negative emotions not only kill a person's inside, but it's not helpful for other people. I'm trying to remain optimistic."
For leaving the scene of a fatal accident, Hambrick faces between one to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. For driving under the influence of alcohol, causing death, Hambrick faces between three to 15 years in prison and up to $3,000 in fines.
Hambrick is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 28.