The 18-year-old driver in a crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old in October has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Brooks Thurston Bare admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before the crash in Tara-Leeway Heights that killed Nicholas Rados in the early morning hours of Oct. 12, according to a plea agreement accepted in court.
“This is the kind of case no one wants to be a part of,” Arlington Circuit Court Chief Judge Judith Wheat said today (Wednesday). “I can only imagine the hurt and sadness that everyone in this courtroom is feeling.”
Bare is scheduled to be sentenced for DUI involuntary manslaughter on March 27.
Rados, a multi-sport athlete and graduate of Washington-Liberty High School, suffered fatal injuries after being hurled from an SUV that Bare was driving.
Bare struck three parked cars in the crash, his vehicle overturning near the intersection of N. Harrison Street and 23rd Street N., court documents say.
Rados was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital. Two other occupants in the vehicle emerged without assistance.
Bare, who was driving the four passengers to their respective homes, was also found to have exceeded the posted speed limit of 25 mph, according to a statement of facts.
He faces between one and three years of active incarceration under the plea. There is no agreement related to suspended prison time, which would take effect if Bare were to violate certain terms of probation.
Responding officers noted that Bare had admitted at the scene to being the driver, though he refused to answer further questions or participate in field sobriety tests.
“He displayed indicia of intoxication, such as the strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person, which intensified as he spoke,” court documents say. “He had glassy bloodshot eyes. He exhibited slurred speech as well as balance issues while standing.”
A blood sample obtained after Bare was transported to a hospital placed his blood alcohol concentration at .157 — nearly twice the legal limit. A variety of cannabinoid chemical compounds were also identified in his blood, according to court records.
As part of the plea agreement, Bare’s charge of refusing to provide a breath sample has been dismissed.
Bare is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27.
