Redmond man expected to change plea in fatal crash
A Redmond man arrested after a crash just over a year ago on Highway 97 south of Redmond that killed his 7-year-old stepdaughter is expected to change his plea at a hearing on Thursday, prosecutors told NewsChannel 21.
William Fix’s trial on first-degree manslaughter, assault and DUII charges was scheduled to start on Oct. 13. But the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office said he is scheduled to plead guilty and be sentenced on Thursday as well. There is no word yet on whether Fix will admit to lesser charges.
A plea hearing and sentencing scheduled for earlier this month was canceled.
Prosecutors said Fix, now 33, drove drunk with five children following a birthday party in Bend on Sept. 6 of last year. Two of the girls were critically injured and 7-year-old Phoenix Price died at the scene.
He pleaded not guilty in court earlier this year and has been conditionally released from jail. In March, he was reprimanded by a judge for violating a no-contact order with two of the girls who were in the car.
