Teen pleads guilty to felonies

A Brazil teenager will be sentenced June 12 for his role in a Nov. 17 crash that killed a 17-year-old girl.

Cody Wright, 19, pleaded guilty Thursday to Class B felony resisting law enforcement.

Under the terms of a plea agreement taken under advisement by Putnam County Circuit Court Judge Matt Headley, a charge of Class C felony criminal recklessness charge would be dropped in exchange for Wright's guilty plea to the resisting charge.

"Sentencing shall be open to argument by the parties, except that the state agrees that any initial executed sentence shall not exceed eight years," the agreement said. "Terms of probation shall be at the court's discretion, but shall include full payment of restitution to the victim's family."

Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter submitted his recommendation that the court accept the plea agreement.

"A trial would be a waste of the taxpayers' money and the court's time," the recommendation said.

A Class B felony is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Should Wright's plea agreement be accepted, he could be out of prison in four years with Indiana good time credit (a reduction of one day for each day served in prison without incident).

Wright's charges stem from an accident at the Clay-Putnam county line in which Brandee N. Siples died.

Wright was involved in a high-speed chase with Indiana State Police, and crashed his 1992 Chevrolet Camaro. Court records said Wright was clocked at 117 mph in a 45-mph zone on U.S. 40 when officers initially attempted to stop him, and that he was doing 129 mph by the time he reached the Clay-Putnam County line.

Wright turned on to C.R. 900 West in Putnam County, where he maintained speeds of 85-90 mph, court records said.

He lost control of his vehicle when he crested a hill.

The Camaro went off the east side of the road, up an embankment and became airborne for about 45 feet, striking several trees in the process and landing on its wheels in a 20-foot deep ravine.

A warrant for Wright's arrest was issued on Nov. 26. That same day, the warrant was recalled and Wright was ordered to appear in court Dec. 3 for an initial hearing.

At that court date, Wright was ordered to report to the Putnam County Jail and his bond was set at $10,000 with 10 percent allowed.

He posted bond shortly after being booked into jail and was released.