Repeat DWI driver pleads guilty to causing fatal 2022 crash at Grant Avenue intersection

Isaac A. Johnston agreed to a plea deal Friday for driving intoxicated, leading to a fatal 2022 vehicle crash at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Lynn Street.

Court records indicate Johnston, 40, pleaded guilty to charges of intoxicated driving causing the death of another and DWI causing physical injury. His charges of driving with a suspended license and DWI were dropped as part of the plea deal.

Johnston, who had multiple DWIs on his record prior to the collision, will be sentenced June 16 in Judge Jerry Harmison's courtroom.

Springfield police said Johnston was driving a southbound Chevrolet Monte Carlo around 11:30 p.m. July 9, 2022, and entered the intersection's center turn lane in an attempt to pass a Nissan Altima. Johnston's vehicle instead collided head-on with a Volkswagen, and the force reportedly caused the Monte Carlo to spin off and hit the Altima, running it off the road.

One of Johnston's passengers, 51-year-old Lana Reed, died of her injuries from the crash.

Police obtained a warrant to get a sample of Johnston's blood after he reportedly refused their request. Nineteen months later, he was criminally charged.

Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com . You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Repeat DWI driver pleads guilty to causing fatal 2022 crash at Grant Avenue intersection