Herwig pleads guilty in fatal crash

Alecia Foster

SAN FERNANDO -- A La Crescenta man charged with manslaughter in a

drunken driving accident that killed two of his friends has pleaded

guilty to all charges.

Mark Herwig, 25, made the plea Friday morning in San Fernando Superior

Court in a case that was on the verge of going to trial. He faces up to

15 years and eight months in prison.

“There hasn’t been one minute when he didn’t accept responsibility,”

said defense attorney Richard Helphand.

The 25-year-old was driving drunk when he lost control of his car and

crashed Oct. 16, killing his friends, brother and sister Christopher and

Allison Jagoe, also from La Crescenta.

Several of Herwig’s family members were present in the courtroom. Some

wept as Deputy District Atty. Dave Jacobs read each of the charges, to

which Herwig unwaveringly replied “guilty.”

Herwig was charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter

while intoxicated causing injury or death, one count of driving under the

influence causing injury and one count of driving with a blood alcohol

level of .08 or higher causing injury.

Herwig had originally pleaded not guilty, but wanted to plead guilty,

Helphand said.

The defense attorney, however, said he wanted sufficient time to

evaluate the prosecution’s evidence and address all of Herwig’s medical

conditions.

Herwig suffered brain injuries during the accident and has been

emotionally distraught since the accident, Helphand said.

“It was never his intent to say or attempt to prove he was innocent,”

Helphand said.

The plea brought a slight sense of relief to Tim and Louisa Jagoe,

parents of Christopher, 23, and Allison, 21. The couple attended every

court hearing, watching and waiting for a resolution.

“It was so tiring to come in here so many times, not knowing what was

going to happen,” Louisa Jagoe said. “I’m glad he pleaded.”

Tim Jagoe said he knew how hard it was for Herwig to hear accusations

and admit fault in front of friends and family in Judge Meredith Taylor’s

courtroom Friday.

“Standing there with all his guilt was about as courageous an act as

an individual can perform,” Tim Jagoe said.

Herwig will return for sentencing on Aug. 30, giving Helphand enough

time to have Herwig’s injuries and mental health evaluated again.

The La Crescenta man also was allowed to remain free because of his

good probation record.

The Jagoes both plan to speak at the sentencing.