RENO - A Reno man pleaded guilty Wednesday to being high on marijuana when he struck and killed a Virginia Foothills woman as she walked with her husband along Toll Road 16 months ago.
In exchange for the plea, charges stemming from injuries to husband Darin Berry were dropped against Jonathan Hyde, 41.
On Aug. 13 2003, Hyde was driving a vehicle that struck Storey County firefighter Berry and his wife, Kelly, as they walked along the roadside.
Kelly, 25, didn't survive her injuries. Darin Berry, then also 25, had a leg fracture.
According to court documents, Hyde had five times the statutory limit of marijuana in his blood and nearly twice the limit of methamphetamine when he careened across Toll Road and struck the newlyweds as they walked home from a trip to 7-Eleven.
Methamphetamine was allegedly found in his backpack following the accident.
Three hours before the fatal crash, Hyde was involved in an accident on McCarran Boulevard and East Manzanita Drive in which he rolled another vehicle. He told police in that incident, a "sneezing fit" caused the accident.
Immediately following the fatal accident, Hyde allegedly told police he was reaching for french fries.
An plea set for early December was delayed because of an unspecified health problem concerning Hyde who was in the hospital, Kelly Berry's mother, Janice Tassi, said.
Hyde faces two to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced March 11.
Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
