09/15/09

A Burley man charged with felony vehicular manslaughter has changed his plea to guilty. Police say on October 15th last fall, Jamie Petersen, 30, lost control of the pickup he was driving, which went over a 60 foot embankment near the Elba-Almo road intersection.

27-year old Maria Romo of Heyburn was a passenger in Petersen’s pickup. She was thrown from the vehicle and killed.

Police say that Petersen had a blood alcohol level of .12 at the time.

Petersen pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter and misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol.

His sentencing date is set for 1:30 pm on Tuesday, November 24th.