By Joe Gerrety
jgerrety@journalandcourier.com

A former Lafayette man who caused a fatal crash on Interstate 65 on Jan. 2 could face up to 20 years in prison under a plea agreement.

Evan J. Erickson, 27, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death while having a prior conviction for drunken driving.

The crash he caused killed Diane M. Snow, 57, of Indianapolis.

Erickson could face six to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 9 by Judge Thomas Busch. But the entire sentence could be served on probation.

Erickson, who currently lives in Richmond, was driving a 1990 Toyota Camry north on I-65 about four miles south of Indiana 38 when his car crossed the median, became airborne and landed on top of Snow's southbound 2005 Honda Accord.

After the crash, Erickson had a blood-alcohol content of 0.24 percent, about three times the legal limit for driving in Indiana.

Erickson, who suffered a concussion in the crash, testified Tuesday he has no recollection of the wreck but admits he is "completely" responsible for causing it.

Erickson lived in Lafayette at the time and was returning from a trip to Richmond to visit his parents. Erickson said Tuesday he stopped in northern Indianapolis on the way home and bought a bottle of vodka, which he had been drinking while he drove.

A brother and sister of Snow attended Tuesday's hearing but did not address the court. Chief deputy prosecutor John Meyers said Snow's family members likely will make comments at Erickson's sentencing.