Bus driver pleads guilty in involuntary manslaughter case : News : ConnectMidMissouri.com

Bus driver pleads guilty in involuntary manslaughter case

Posted: 11.21.2011 at 4:17 PM

The bus driver accused of involuntary manslaughter when the bus struck and killed a child pleaded guilty on Monday.

Willie Leonberger pleaded guilty to 2nd degree involuntary manslaughter. He will be in court for sentencing in January.

Leonberger was charged after 6-year-old Hunter Pitt was hit and killed. Pitt had just gotten off the bus when he was struck. A highway patrol report found Leonberger did not wait long enough after the child got off the bus before rolling.

Leonberger was 77-years-old last January when the incident happened.

We asked what sentence Leonberger might face, and his attorneys said they had no comment. The Callaway County prosecutor says there was no plea agreement with Leonberger, and that he could face up to four years in prison for the Class D felony.

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