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Man in fatal wrong-way crash on SR 520 changes plea

SEATTLE — At a hearing Friday, Michael Robertson, the man accused of killing a woman in a wrong-way crash on State Route 520, changed his plea.

Robertson had earlier pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of Morgan Williams, but on Friday,  he change his plea to guilty.  He also pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in Tacoma.

Robertson's voice showed emotion as he answered questions from the judge about his plea.

Family and friends of the victim in the courtroom appeared to be emotional as well.

Prosecutors recommended that Robertson be sentenced to 126 months in prison, including an extra 24 months because of the Tacoma DUI.  It was also recommended that he pay restitution to the victim’s family.

Williams was killed in the crash at Montlake Boulevard on April 4.

Police documents said Robertson had a near-empty bottle of whiskey on the front seat of his SUV at the time of the crash and admitted he'd been drinking and felt impaired.  He also said that he might have been drugged.

The documents said Robertson was driving to Bellevue when he did a U-turn and headed toward Seattle driving the wrong way.