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On June 22, 2011, William Charles Burns pled guilty to Aggravated DUI Manslaughter and DUI 1st Offense for the death Andy C. Starmer.  The defendant entered his plea before the Honorable Peter Tench of the Newport News Circuit Court.
 
The Commonwealth’s evidence showed that August 9, 2009, Andy Starmer was employed as a tow truck driver and was responding to a disabled vehicle on the side Interstate 64 near the J. Clyde Morris exit.  While assisting the disabled vehicle, Mr. Starmer was struck and killed by the defendant’s vehcicle.  The Commonwealth was able to show that defendant’s blood alcohol level at the time of the incident was .26, which is nearly three and half times the legal limit in Virginia. 

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2011. The matter is being handled by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brock R. Maust. 

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