Md. Man Pleads Guilty to Driving on PCP in Fatal H St. Crash

A Maryland man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of PCP after a crash in downtown Washington that killed a pedestrian.

James Chandler Jr., 33, of Silver Spring, entered an Alford plea Thursday in D.C. Superior Court. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but agrees that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict.

Prosecutors said Chandler was speeding on H Street NW during rush hour Feb. 23 when his SUV hit a curb, mounted the sidewalk and hit a retaining wall. Court documents obtained by News4 said Chandler was driving about 65 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Authorities said the SUV rolled several times and struck 27-year-old Philip Snodgrass of Baldwin, Maryland, who was walking on the sidewalk. Snodgrass died at a hospital.

Chandler faces a maximum of 30 years in prison at sentencing July 17.