A Lewiston man pleaded guilty to three felonies, including two counts of vehicular manslaughter, after being involved in a car crash that killed two people.

William L. Clements Jr., 44, of Lewiston, pleaded guilty March 29 before 2nd District Judge Michelle Evans.

Clements was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter along with aggravated DUI in October 2022 following a vehicle crash that killed Kim Michael Thompsen, 67, of Syracuse, Utah, and Troy Michael Thompsen, 40, of Meridian. The three-vehicle collision took place at U.S. Highway 95 near Lapwai, according to court documents.

The case was in mediation, which is when a judge not involved meets with attorneys as well as the defendant and victims to negotiate a resolution, including a plea agreement. A Rule 11 plea agreement was reached, which is binding on the court, meaning that if the agreement isn’t followed Clements can revoke his guilty plea.

The written agreement hasn’t been filed yet, but Clements pleaded guilty to the felonies of two counts of vehicular manslaughter and aggravated DUI twice before Evans accepted his guilty plea. Two misdemeanor charges of having an open container and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence were dismissed, according to court documents.

As part of the agreement, the state won’t argue for more than 8-12 years for each count, which will run concurrently, and a lifetime driver’s license suspension.

The state is represented by Lori Gilmore of the Clearwater County Prosecutor’s Office because the Nez Perce office had a conflict of interest. Evans appointed prosecutors in Clearwater County to handle the case in May 2023, according to court documents.

Public defenders Rick Cuddihy and Joe Schumacher have been representing Clements, and as part of the agreement they’ll be able to argue for a lesser sentence and a shorter span of license suspension, as well as any civil penalty to the court’s discretion, according to court documents.

Clements also waives his right to appeal his sentence and file a Rule 35 motion to reduce his sentence, according to court documents.

Clements will be sentenced June 5 and the state might call two witnesses.