By Sophia Voravong

CRAWFORDSVILLE -- A Wingate man accused of being under the influence of drugs when he crashed into a group of motorcyclists last year, killing three, is scheduled to plead guilty next month.

Rodney A. Newkirk, 25, faces up to 67 years in prison if Judge David Ault of Montgomery Superior Court accepts the plea agreement filed on Oct. 5.

Newkirk was to go to t rial today on several felony charges in connection to the wreck on Oct. 1, 2006, near Ladoga in rural Montgomery County.

Dr. Robert C. Brooksby, 53, of Zionsville, Maria Shipley, 51, of Carmel, and Michael Lee Bird, 50, of Indianapolis were among those riding on seven motorcycles on Indiana 234 when the group was hit.

Brooksby and Shipley were pronounced dead at the scene. Bird later died at an Indianapolis hospital. They were on a ride sponsored by a dealership.

Under terms of the proposed agreement, Newkirk will plead guilty to three counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance causing death, a Class B felony; two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury, a Class D felony; operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of methamphetamine, a Class D felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor.

Three counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a Class C felony, one count of operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance and of driving while suspended will be dropped.

Sentencing will be left up to the judge, but both the Montgomery County prosecutor's office and Newkirk agreed to a minimum of 15 years in prison.

His plea hearing and sentencing are scheduled for Nov. 15.

The victims' family members could not be reached Monday.

According to court documents, Newkirk had traces of cocaine, marijuana and benzodiazepine in his blood after the crash.

Three of the charges in which Newkirk is scheduled to plead guilty stem from his arrest for drug possession and impaired driving on Nov. 3, 2006, two days after he posted bond in connection with the fatal crash.