A Hazleton man entered a guilty plea in Carbon County court on Thursday to a felony 3 homicide by vehicle charge stemming from a fatal all-terrain vehicle crash that occurred earlier this year.

Joseph E. Reese, 42, appeared before Judge Steven R. Serfass to enter his plea. He also pleaded to one count of DUI.

In exchange for the plea, the district attorney’s office dropped a felony 2 count of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, which carries a mandatory state prison term, plus charges of involuntary manslaughter, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person (two counts), careless driving, reckless driving, ATVs operation on streets and highways and unlawful operation of an ATV in a careless way.

Davis was arrested following a crash on June 7 at 12:49 a.m.

State police at Hazleton were dispatched to a crash along Wixon Circle, near the intersection with West Main Street, in Banks Township.

Reese had two passengers with him, both taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton Campus. The one passenger, Kimberly A. Kraus, 30, of Hazleton, was then flown to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, where she died of her injuries. The other passenger, her then 9-year-old daughter sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from the Hazleton hospital.

Troopers said the ATV rolled over, ejecting the two passengers.

Assistant District Attorney Brian B. Gazo said Reese admitted drinking beer before the crash. He indicated that Reese told troopers he drank about 12 cans of beer. Reese’s blood/alcohol content was measured at 0.154 percent.

Serfass told Reese under state sentencing guidelines, in the standard range, he faces a minimum prison term of somewhere between 9 and 16 months up to a maximum of 84 months. The length of the term will be determined by Serfass.

Serfass deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report. Reese indicate he will apply for placement in the house arrest program.